Brussels/Strasbourg, June 17 - The European Parliament approved Slovakia's entry to eurozone as of January 1, 2009.

The EU's legislative body has only a minor say in the matter, and has acted in line with the decision of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) based on a report by Maltese MEP David Casa (EPP-ED) on Slovakia's readiness to adopt the euro.

The report supports the opinion of the EU that Slovakia has met the necessary convergence criteria. At the same time, it appeals to the Slovak Government to go an extra mile in order to keep inflation under control and to continue structural economic reforms. MEPs also warned that the social partners (the Government, employers and trade unions) should ensure that salary increases are matched by productivity growth.

The EP also called for an intensification of the euro information campaign.

The European Council is due to make the final decision on Slovakia's adoption of the euro at a summit in Brussels on June 19-20.

(TASR)