Press Release: Slovenia is well prepared for the euro, but needs to reassure consumers about prices, a new report on the practical preparations for the euro shows

Slovenia appears to be fairly well prepared for the euro on 1 January 2007 but would gain from adopting further measures to strengthen consumers' confidence that prices will remain stable during the changeover. This is one of the conclusions drawn by the fourth report on the practical preparations for the enlargement of the euro area. The report focuses particularly on Slovenia, as it is about to adopt the euro, but also looks closely at the changeover plans adopted by Cyprus and Malta, which aspire to do the same in 2008. Although the Cypriot plan covers all aspects of the changeover, the details are patchy, while Malta's plan appears to be both comprehensive and detailed. A Eurobarometer survey also shows that public opinion in the new Member States remains positive about the single currency, more so than in 2004 and 2005, although the results differ from country to country.