Alternattiva Demokratika expressed satisfaction that the EU Commission has approved Malta’s application to adopt the euro on 1 January 2008. Chairman Harry Vassallo said “this is an important economic and political development that integrates Malta further within the European Union. The Greens have always been supportive of Malta’s membership within the eurozone as we recognised the benefits of a single currency for a small open economy like Malta’s.”

The party spokesperson on the economy, Edward Fenech said “it is vital that in the coming months a national effort is made to make a success of this development. The euro must not be a partisan project. It is crucial that the euro works for everyone and nobody is permitted to make illicit or speculative gains on the euro. We pledge our full support to government authorities that work towards this.”

In a separate statement, the Nationalist Party’s youth movement, MZPN, said the positive opinion of the European Commission and the European Central Bank about euro adoption was one of the best certificates any country could be given by analysts whose standards were very high.

Malta had sat for a very difficult European test and had satisfied all five main criteria, each comprising a difficult test and leading to a denial of the certificate had Malta failed in any of them.

The MZPN said the certificate given to Malta augured well for a good future for the country, where there would be investment which would lead to the creation of job opportunities.