REFILE-Former c.banker to head Czech euro preparations

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PRAGUE, March 28 (Reuters) - Former central banker Oldrich Dedek became on Wednesday the chief coordinator of the Czech Republic's preparations for euro adoption, which the country plans in 2012 at the earliest.

Dedek, an economist known as a keen supporter of the central European country's euro aspirations, was picked by the Finance Ministry and the cabinet approved his appointment at its regular meeting on Wednesday, said Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.

Economist Dedek served as Czech National Bank Vice-Governor until early 2005 and now heads the macroeconomic department at an economic institute of the Charles University in Prague.

Dedek had won the nickname "Mr.Euro" from analysts for his belief that a quick meeting of the entry criteria and a switch to the euro would be a boon for the Czechs because it would shield their small economy from global currency volatility.

His views have been at odds with the euro-sceptical stance of conservative President Vaclav Klaus, a vocal opponent of currency or tax unification in the 27-member European Union.

The Czech Republic was forced to give up an earlier plan to adopt the euro by 2010 because of a rise in the fiscal deficit beyond the EU's ceiling of 3 percent of gross domestic product.

The government and the central bank are expected to review the country's euro strategy and decide whether or not to set a new target date by August. The Finance Ministry has suggested 2012 as a new date, but other officials prefer to have no date.