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Lithuania addressed the European Commission and the European Central Bank asking to prepare a preliminary convergence report on Lithuania’s compliance with the Euro group membership criteria in view of its aim to introduce the euro on 1 January, 2007.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister approves Lithuania’s address and notes that the EU Member States evaluate positively Lithuania’s progress in striving for membership in the Economic and Monetary Union.

“The provisions of the Accession Treaty enable Lithuania to join agreements without any reservations,” Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis noticed.

The Minister paid attention to the fact that Lithuania’s economic performance in 2005 is even better than it was forecasted, especially concerning the fiscal deficit. The maturity and sustainability of Lithuanian economy is confirmed by it being one of the fastest-growing economies among the EU Member States over the last few years with inflation remaining low.

Foreign Minister reminded that in February 2006 the European Commission made a positive assessment of Lithuania’s Convergence Programme and indicated that Lithuania pursues its objectives.