Slovak c.banker says gas price cut helps curb inflation

MODRA, Slovakia, Nov 30 (Reuters) - A 4 percent cut in household natural gas prices announced for 2007 raises the chances Slovakia will meet the inflation criterion for adopting the euro currency, central bank board Peter Sevcovic said on Thursday.

"This means that inflation will be below the current forecast. It increases the probability of meeting the Maastricht criterion," he said.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of employers, Sevcovic added he could not rule out either more interest rate hikes nor that the cost of money has already peaked.

Slovakia aims to adopt the euro in 2009. ((Reporting by Peter Laca, writing by Jan Lopatka, editing by Ron Askew; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420-224 190 474))

Keywords: SLOVAKIA CBANKER/