The first half of 2009 is a realistic date for Poland's joining the pre-euro exchange rate mechanism ERM2, and by that time Poland's constitution must be changed to enable euro adoption, Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski said Monday.
"First the Constitution should be changed, then Poland could enter ERM2. It would be very inadvisable of Poland joined the ERM2 and then found itself in the situation where the Constitution could not be changed," Rostowski said.
"If changes in the Constitution were blocked, euro adoption plans will have to be delayed," Rostowski told Polish news agency PAP.
Failure to change the Constitution once Poland has entered the ERM2 could force Poland to leave the system which would undermine its credibility, the minister said.
"The overwhelming majority of Poles support Poland's presence in the EU, but some have fears with regard to euro adoption. That is why it will be important for decisions not to be affected by current political dispute," Rostowski said.
"Realistic date for Poland's ERM2 entry is the first half of 2009. We have to enter the ERM2 then, to make it possible to join the euro zone at the date set by the government," Rostowski added.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced earlier this month that the Polish government will pursue the country's euro-zone entry in 2011.
Poland joined the European Union in 2004 along with nine other nations. Of those countries, Slovenia began using the euro last year and Cyprus and Malta adopted the common currency this year. Slovakia will join the euro zone next year.
Source: Xinhua
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