From September 1st, all wholesale and retail prices in the isle of Cyprus will be given both in Cypriot pounds and in euros, and an information campaign will be launched in the run-up to the adoption of the single currency on January 1st 2008. In Malta, instead, the Final Master Plan to pave the way to the euro began last January. "Both Malta and Cyprus must now finish their preparations for the introduction of the euro", states Joaquìn Almunia, EU Commissioner for monetary affairs, by replicating the efforts made by Slovenia last year, so as to become the 13th country in the euro-zone. The EU Commission adopted the fifth Report on the practical preparations for the adoption of the EU currency in both islands, considering that Valletta is by now ready to make the move and thinking the government of Nicosia still has to meet a few engagements. At first, 200 million pieces (banknotes and coins) in euros will be circulating in Malta; 400 million have been asked for by Cyprus. Consumer information systems and "good practices" for traders have been outlined in conjunction with the EU authorities. As to other countries that are interested in the single currency, the Commission’s Report considers "fairly complete" the process of pre-adhesion of Slovakia, which might introduce the euro in 2009.
