Malta is expected today to formally apply to join European Union nations using the euro currency, the government said yesterday.

The government said that the bid by Malta, which joined the EU in 2004, will be passed on to the European Commission and the European Central Bank.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is attending an EU Finance Ministers meeting in Brussels.

A few weeks ago, the government said it was still awaiting updated statistics before putting in a formal application to the EU.

Malta’s National Statistics Office said that statistics for January show another drop in inflation, following a trend of lower inflation, that probably encouraged the government to make the euro bid.

The application will eventually need the approval of EU finance ministers.

Both the EU Commission and the European Central Bank will have to present a separate technical report on whether Malta has satisfied all membership criteria for the common currency.

They are expected to issue their recommendations by mid-May. (AP)