Slovak PM committed to 2009 euro entry goal - FT

...on Tuesday.

"The goal to introduce the euro in 2009 limits us very much," Fico said in comments published on Tuesday.

"We believe that there are more advantages than disadvantages to the euro, but of course there is much discussion in Slovakia as to what it will mean for ordinary people," he added.

Slovakia's top challenge remained meeting the conditions for adopting the currency, according to the Financial Times. It reported that analysts feared the government had failed to leave itself enough leeway by boosting the economy with welfare handouts.

Slovakia is the front-runner for entering the euro zone among the four largest new European Union members in central Europe.

Poland and Hungary are unlikely to adopt the euro this decade because of large fiscal deficits, and the Czech Republic this year dropped its target of joining in 2010.

The new Slovak cabinet, led by leftist prime minister Fico, has accepted the euro adoption strategy of the previous centre-right government after winning June elections.

[LONDON/Reuters/Finance.cz]