Slovenia adopts euro amid inflation fears[fr][de] 

Slovenia introduced the single currency on 1 January 2007, the first of the ten member states which joined the EU in 2004 to do so. The eurozone now comprises 13 countries, with a population of more than 316 million.

The tolar, Slovenia's previous currency, will be fully replaced by the euro during the next two weeks - the country prides itself on having met the eurozone's economic requirements.

Finance Minister Andrej Bajuk said: "It is extremely important for us. I am sure that the net benefits that we are going to reap are positive and substantial; that we are going to increase our exports and, that things will move faster and better than before."

Nevertheless, he admitted that prices could rise as a result of the euro's introduction - a recent survey highlighted that around 40% of Slovenians are concerned about inflation.

Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquín Almunia said: "This is an important day for Slovenia, which becomes the first country of the 2004 EU enlargement to adopt the euro." But he added: "As the Slovenian people begin paying and receiving change in euros, I wish to remind them to be careful in the next few days and weeks and to watch out for the prices."