Economy

Latvia signs formal request to join euro area

RIGA, Latvia (AP) — Latvia has formally applied to adopt the euro currency 2014, a move that could see the Baltic state become the bloc's 18th member.

The move had been expected and comes after Latvia met the required financial criteria, including levels of state debt, budget deficit and inflation. Polls, however, indicate that nearly two-thirds of Latvia's population is against swapping the lat for the euro, which only last year some investors were betting would collapse.

A government spokesman said Monday that the formal request would be given to the European Union's Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Olli Rehn, on March 5 in Brussels. The commission, along with the European Central Bank, will likely decide on Latvia's request in June.

Related Headlines

  • Latvia takes big step to joining euro

    Unemployment, recession, debt, crisis and bailouts: These have been the sort of words that have been associated with the euro currency over the past few years. So it may come ... 

  • Lithuania shivers as Russia ramps up heating costs

    To save money during the harsh Baltic winter, Romanas Ziabkinas did something unremarkable: He turned off his central heating and installed a cheaper electric heater. Now he ... 

  • Cyprus secures bailout, avoids bankruptcy

    Cyprus secured a 10 billion euro ($13 billion) package of rescue loans in tense, last-ditch negotiations early Monday, saving the country from a banking system collapse and ... 

  • Olli Rehn

    EU warns of imbalances in Spain, Slovenia

    The European Commission turned up the heat on Spain and Slovenia Wednesday, warning that the two struggling countries are facing "excessive" problems fixing their economies. 

Overnight Averages

Find your future job here