In a report, adopted today by 579 votes Yes, 17 Against and 86 Abstained, the European Parliament supported the accession of Slovakia to the euro zone from January 1, 2009. Meanwhile, the deputies stressed that the country had to continue its efforts to maintain low inflation and implement structural reforms in the economic sphere, said the press service of the Parliament.

The document notes that the European Central Bank indicates risks on the sustainability of the achieved low inflation and urges necessary measures to avoid inflation to be taken.

Slovak government must ensure stable low inflation, which "can be achieved through further financial consolidation and tight financial policy to stabilize the budget in the medium term, was stated in the report.

Deputies recommend the Slovak government to set up an observation body to monitor weekly prices of a number of basic commodities in order to avoid the creation of unjustified the impression of undue rise in prices.

The European Parliament calls for the government of Slovakia to ensure the continuation of necessary structural reforms in the labour market, services and goods, in particular to take measures to increase labor mobility and investment in human resources.

In conclusion, the European Parliament is concerned about the weak support of the euro among Slovak citizens. In this context, the deputies urge the Slovak authorities to organise a public campaign to explain the benefits of the single currency and to take all necessary measures to be minimized rise in prices during the transitional period.