NationStates Jolt Archive

Slovenia has begun the most recent country to adopt the Euro. It is also the only Jugoslavian country to adopt it and the only of the newest additions to adopt it. Yay for Slovenia!

Article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061228/ap_on_re_eu/slovenia_euro_nation)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - Fatima Sehic frowned as she fingered some shiny new euros — Slovenia's currency beginning Jan. 1 — in her wrinkled hand. It's all a bit too much for the 93-year-old, who will have to get used to the country's sixth currency in her lifetime.

"I can't differentiate between these little coins," she murmurs.

The tiny alpine country will become the 13th nation to use the pan-European currency, a switch Prime Minister Janez Jansa called the "biggest national achievement" since Slovenia joined the
European Union in 2004.

The Slovene tolar and the euro will be in dual use for only 14 days; starting Jan. 15, the euro will be the only legal tender. A recent EU survey showed that more than two-thirds of Slovenes are happy to adopt the euro, with many saying they see it as further proof they are part of mainstream Europe.

But some are also sentimental about the tolars, introduced when the country declared independence in 1991.

"I'll definitely keep some of them — they're a piece of history," said Alenka Posavec, a 54-year-old farmer.

"Slovene feelings about the tolar are nostalgic and highly positive," said Niko Tos, a sociologist who runs the prominent survey Politbarometer. For years, the survey has shown that Slovenes trust the tolar more than their government or the church. Luckily, the euro also enjoys high confidence, albeit just below the tolar.

Slovenes will have to get used to coins that have real value. About 240 tolars equal 1 euro — and since there are Slovene coins as small as 0.1 tolar, it can easily take a fist full of coins to buy just one loaf of bread. The smallest euro denomination, in contrast, is 1 euro cent, or 2.4 tolars.

The country of 2 million is alone among the 10 newcomers that joined the European bloc in 2004 to have fulfilled the rigorous economic criteria needed to join the euro zone.

Only 20 years ago, Slovenia was a drab communist country with annual inflation of up to 1,500 percent; now inflation is 1.9 percent, lower than Germany's. Its economic growth was 4 percent last year, well above the EU's average of 1.4 percent.

The Slovene formula? Maja Bednas, a deputy director of the Office for Macroeconomic Analysis, said long-term economic stability — achieved by gradual introduction of reforms rather than radical changes — and coordination between the government and the Central Bank have kept inflation in check.

The success is not entirely unexpected. Even under communism, Slovenia had a penchant for market economics and workaholic habits, and the country has always been the most prosperous of the ex-Yugoslav republics.

In contrast, uncontrolled deficits and rising inflation have prevented the other nine new EU members from joining the euro.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called the adoption of the euro "a historic event" for Slovenia.

The EU's economics commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, said the switch to the strong and stable euro creates conditions for further economic prosperity. But he warned Slovenia that it must uphold its commitment to reforms "so that (it) fully reaps the benefits of monetary union."

To make the changeover smoother, the euro value has been tagged to all prices in Slovenia for nearly two years. And each household has received a detailed instruction manual about the switch.

In downtown Ljubljana, a neon light flashes the number of days remaining until the changeover. But behind the fanfare, Slovenes worry whether rounding off prices to their euro amount will make everything more expensive.

The Consumers' Association recently published a black list of retailers and services that have already raised prices: potato prices in one store jumped 54 percent; some postal services and parking in downtown Ljubljana doubled in price; dental X-rays in a clinic went up 85 percent. Even a monthly charge for a grave was 10 percent higher, the list showed.

"Avoid those shops and services and protest loudly," the association advised consumers in an ad published in all newspapers.

Prime Minister Jansa promised to closely monitor price hikes, although he insisted recently the changes so far "are much smaller than in any other comparable country" during a changeover.

To preserve its national identity in the uniform euro zone, Slovenia exercised its right to customize the euro coins it mints in the country, decorating them with writers, the country's highest mountain and other national symbols.

Political analyst Vlado Miheljak said Slovenes, who deeply cherish both their national and European values, "will be in love with those euros."

"But only until they realize they don't have enough of them in their pockets," he said.

I'm impressed that they were able to fit the criteria so quickly after being communist. Indeed, some of the 'core' economies of europe have been lax in that respect.

Well done for putting fiscal prudence above silly sloganeering and guns and butter budgets.

I was in Slovenia last summer. Great country. I can't wait to go back and I won't have to change currency to do so! I love the EU. :cool:

I was in Slovenia last summer. Great country. I can't wait to go back and I won't have to change currency to do so! I love the EU. :cool:

ANother superstate to enforce its will on others are screw over nations in a quest for power and glory. Yay. :rolleyes:

well, that's their problem.
Thankfully Poland won't be adopting the Euro any time soon.

I'm all for a more federal Europe but the Euro is a really silly idea. I sincerely hope that the UK stays out.

well, that's their problem.
Thankfully Poland won't be adopting the Euro any time soon.

i think you will find adopting the euro was a condition of EU entry....

i think you will find adopting the euro was a condition of EU entry....

yes, but Poland and Sweden have so far avoided this requirement by simply staying out of the ERM, which yo have to be in for two years to join the Euro.

I'm all for a more federal Europe but the Euro is a really silly idea. I sincerely hope that the UK stays out.

I like it...we should all use one global currency.

ANother superstate to enforce its will on others are screw over nations in a quest for power and glory. Yay. :rolleyes:
You Americans know from experience, do you?

yes, but Poland and Sweden have so far avoided this requirement by simply staying out of the ERM, which yo have to be in for two years to join the Euro.
Oh. I thought Poland avoided it by having a shitty economy...

Now Sweden, on the other hand, have a reason to be cocky, unlike Poland.

I like it...we should all use one global currency.

The problem with that is that interest rates would be set to benefit the world as a whole and this would mean lead to a lot of countries losing out. A global interest rate is rather like using a steam roller to break into a walnut, far better to devolve the power to set interest rates to a national level.

yes, but Poland and Sweden have so far avoided this requirement by simply staying out of the ERM, which yo have to be in for two years to join the Euro.

no, it wasnt a condition of denmark, sweden or the Brits entry. they opted out as is their right.

you have to join by date x or sanctions will be put in place.

I like it...we should all use one global currency.

as if that's ever going to happen. like with the Euro, sweden will prolly try to twist it's way out of it.

The problem with that is that interest rates would be set to benefit the world as a whole and this would mean lead to a lot of countries losing out. A global interest rate is rather like using a steam roller to break into a walnut, far better to devolve the power to set interest rates to a national level.

Not right now, but it should be an eventual goal.

Not right now, but it should be an eventual goal.

In principle, I agree. To be honest, however, I suspect the drawbacks will always outweigh the advantages.

no, it wasnt a condition of denmark, sweden or the Brits entry. they opted out as is their right.

you have to join by date x or sanctions will be put in place.

sweden does not have opt-out rights. where did you get this "info" from?

This is not good.

This is what the Slovenians want, it isn't just enforced upon them. I for one like the idea. Though 3 years ago (when I was in Slovenia) I was already paying wit euros both on the camp site and in Ljubljana.

sweden does not have opt-out rights. where did you get this "info" from?
You haven't completed the third stage of the EMU and therefore still have to use your own poor currency. Don't worry. You'll meet the criteria yet.

Oh! Sweden did meet the criteria, they opted out. Poland doesn't have the luxury, though.

This is not good.

what? if it's about them adopting the euro, i agree with you. but it will get even worse next year.

You haven't completed the third stage of the EMU and therefore still have to use your own poor currency. Don't worry. You'll meet the criteria yet.

it's not like we want to join the Euro anyway.

sweden does not have opt-out rights. where did you get this "info" from?

Yes they do as they were in the EU before the most recent enlargement. The 10 newest members had to agree to eventual membership of the euro. Sweden, Denmark and the UK do not have to do this.

sweden does not have opt-out rights. where did you get this "info" from?

when sweden joined the EEC as it was at the time, the euro was still the ECU. later entrants had to agree to join the euro as a condition of entry.

Denmark, Sweden and Britain are under no such obligation as their EEC entru predates the currency and you cant renegotiate entry 20+ years after they have joined

when sweden joined the EEC as it was at the time, the euro was still the ECU. later entrants had to agree to join the euro as a condition of entry.

Denmark, Sweden and Britain are under no such obligation as their EEC entru predates the currency and you cant renegotiate entry 20+ years after they have joined

I asked for your source, not a re-wording. also, sweden did not join the EU until 1995.

I asked for your source, not a re-wording.

my source is 5 years working for the ECB.

sweden and denmark both offered their people a vote and it was rejected. so they are out for the forseeable.

it's not like we want to join the Euro anyway.
Oh! That must sting them Euro countries! The Pope-frenzy country renounces their money!!!

Your compatriots are desperate to join it, though.

Oh! That must sting them Euro countries! The Pope-frenzy country renounces their money!!!

Your compatriots are desperate to join it, though.
http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/mystyk/pancake%20bunny.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:PreEuroCurrencies#Joining_the_Euro

That wiki is wrong. Denmark has an opt out. (http://www.um.dk/en/menu/EU/TheDanishOptouts/) Sweden, however, does not, but that of course doesn't matter as the EU has no way of making us join against out will.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:PreEuroCurrencies#Joining_the_Euro

thats a discussion about who has an opt out, not a wiki article.

try again, this time sourcing something better than a debate like this one.

however, I think that Sweden doesn't have an official opt out like the Brits and Danes, but doenst have the same official opt in's the new states have'

http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/mystyk/pancake%20bunny.jpg

Is that some cyber-polish way to say "I just stuck my head in to the sand"?

Is that some cyber-polish way to say "I just stuck my head in to the sand"?

i'm not really sure. why do you ask?

thats a discussion about who has an opt out, not a wiki article.

try again, this time sourcing something better than a debate like this one.

however, I think that Sweden doesn't have an official opt out like the Brits and Danes, but doenst have the same official opt in's the new states have'

so we are in agreement that sweden doesn't have an opt out? But the UK and Denmark do?

so we in agreement that sweden doesn't have an opt out? But the UK and Denmark do?
You have a disagreemet.

As you should.

so we are in agreement that sweden doesn't have an opt out? But the UK and Denmark do?

The source you quoted said "The UK has a special opt-out agreement. Sweden and Denmark don't"...

You have a disagreemet.

As you should.

so you still innsist Sweden has an opt-out. why don't you prove it. you have 10 days to bring the documents ( he ones that state sweden has an opt-out) to the Warsaw sith base.

Slovenia has begun the most recent country to adopt the Euro. It is also the only Jugoslavian country to adopt it and the only of the newest additions to adopt it. Yay for Slovenia!

Article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061228/ap_on_re_eu/slovenia_euro_nation)

Finally! Somone else who knows how to spell Jugoslavia! Na zdravje!!

so we are in agreement that sweden doesn't have an opt out? But the UK and Denmark do?

after a bit of research, yes.

but the new entrans agreed to join the euro on a timeframe, the swedes can stay in limbo until they can sell it to the voters.

The source you quoted said "The UK has a special opt-out agreement. Sweden and Denmark don't"...

oops my bad

The two remaining members of the European Union, the United Kingdom and Denmark, chose not to join the EMU immediately. Both of these countries made provisions in the Maastricht Treaty that preserved their right not to join the EMU.

http://www.uiowa.edu/ifdebook/faq/faq_docs/EMU.shtml

Sweden did not have this luxury it just failed to meet the convergence requirements in time to join the EMU

Sweden did not have this luxury it just failed to meet the convergence requirements in time to join the EMU

to be accurate, they chose not to meet them

ANother superstate to enforce its will on others are screw over nations in a quest for power and glory. Yay. :rolleyes:

And they say the EU removes historical identity.

Finally! Somone else who knows how to spell Jugoslavia! Na zdravje!!

okay. if only people knew how to spell Kraków though. I'm always seeing it being spelled as "Cracow", which i do not consider to be a proper spelling.

Sweden did not have this luxury it just failed to meet the convergence requirements in time to join the EMU

Actually, no. Sweden didn't "fail" to meet them - she chose not to. The referendum had by that time already become political reality (all the Riksdag parties were in agreement in holding it) and the government was very clear on not joining the third stage until after it had been held.

Had Sweden wanted to join the Euro in 1999, it could have. We simply chose to postpone, and then to reject.

Finally! Somone else who knows how to spell Jugoslavia! Na zdravje!!

Kako se kaze na Engleskom, "necu da ti pada kisa na paradi", ali tako se ne pise "Jugoslavia" "in English."

Actually, no. Sweden didn't "fail" to meet them - she chose not to. The referendum had by that time already become political reality (all the Riksdag parties were in agreement in holding it) and the government was very clear on not joining the third stage until after it had been held.

Had Sweden wanted to join the Euro in 1999, it could have. We simply chose to postpone, and then to reject.

either way sweden did not meet the conditions.

Had Sweden wanted to join the Euro in 1999, it could have. We simply chose to postpone, and then to reject.
I think Sweden was silly to reject, but Fass is right, they didn't fail anything.

Kako se kaze na Engleskom, "necu da ti pada kisa na paradi", ali tako se ne pise "Jugoslavia" "in English."
i don't understand.

either way sweden did not meet the conditions.

On purpose. The word "fail" implies wanting to meet them but not succeeding, which was not the case. Sweden would have had no problems meeting the conditions had she wanted to.

i don't understand.

Basically: "I don't want to rain on your parade, but that's not how Yugoslavia is spelt in English."

And they say the EU removes historical identity.


It does, But I don't think Europeans care about that anymore. Its all about money and power.

On purpose. The word "fail" implies wanting to meet them but not succeeding, which was not the case. Sweden would have had no problems meeting the conditions had she wanted to.

What was the reason for not joining? I would have thought most Swedes would have liked the idea, what with all the foreign travel you guys do.

You Americans know from experience, do you?

We are not a superstate genius. :rolleyes: We would be if we annexed Canada..But not now. Don't believe everything that the media tells you.

What was the reason for not joining? I would have thought most Swedes would have liked the idea, what with all the foreign travel you guys do.


To get away from the cold? ;)

It does, But I don't think Europeans care about that anymore. Its all about money and power.Man! She got us! EU is all about money and power. Much like USA is all about righteousness... and... well, hot air. Let's paint with the broadest of brushes, shall we though.

We are not a superstate genius. :rolleyes: We would be if we annexed Canada..But not now. Don't believe everything that the media tells you.

No, just a collection of 50 states in one... super.... state.... organis.. oh wait.

Man! She got us! EU is all about money and power. Much like USA is all about righteousness... and... well, hot air. Let's paint with the broadest brushes, though.


Great, just what NS needs..another troll pulling comments out of his ass.:rolleyes: Think and ask questions before you speak!


And I am male you ^%^%!

No, just a collection of 50 states in one... super.... state.... organis.. oh wait.


There is a difference between the US and EU..Compare California and France...Think real hard about history junior.

okay. if only people knew how to spell Kraków though. I'm always seeing it being spelled as "Cracow", which i do not consider to be a proper spelling.

Yep!! Though thankfully the Germans have stopped calling Bratislava "Pressburg". :)

What was the reason for not joining? I would have thought most Swedes would have liked the idea, what with all the foreign travel you guys do.

Oh, many reasons, of which were euro scepticism, poor Euroland economies which ours kept and so far keeps outperforming, failure of the big Euro countries to actually maintain fiscal discipline, "states rights" issues in not wanting to give the EU even more to say about, an appreciation for the krona which serves us best when externally weak what with our export-oriented economy (which actually is slightly more geared towards non-Euroland countries) and so on and so on.

Sure, "it'll be easier when you travel" was touted by the yes-campaign (sadly one of their only credible points), but we're used to exchanging currencies and I guess not enough people saw it as sufficiently a nuisance to chuck the krona out.

Great, just what NS needs..another troll pulling comments out of his ass.:rolleyes: Think and ask questions before you speak!


And I am male you ^%^%!
Oh, thanks. That was endearing. I never have had as much Troll attention before.

Raw, but nice.

There is a difference between the US and EU..Compare California and France...Think real hard about history junior.

California has never been defeated in a war and makes better wine? :D

Basically: "I don't want to rain on your parade, but that's not how Yugoslavia is spelt in English."

Actually, it is. Just as Romania and Rumania are also both correct.

Yep!! Though thankfully the Germans have stopped calling Bratislava "Pressburg". :)

don't you mean Preßburg?

California has never been defeated in a war and makes better wine? :D


No, California has not been a free country for any long period of time and its entire economy and government is based around being apart of a union. France on the other hand would be..........You answer.

And I am male you ^%^%!
gender confusion... it always seems to be happening in at least one thread a day.

Actually, it is. Just as Romania and Rumania are also both correct.

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=jugoslavia&word2=yugoslavia

Seeing as a majority of those "Jugoslavia" hits are probably of Serbo-Croatian origin, one could say about "Jugoslavia" in English as the French do: inusité.

No, California has not been a free country for any long period of time and its entire economy and government is based around being apart of a union. France on the other hand would be..........You answer....Have been free since at least 1789...?

...have BEEN there from 1789?

...Not have been Mexican during the past three hundred years?

gender confusion... it always seems to be happening in at least one thread a day.

Maybe if I put a male symbol in my sig?

Maybe if I put a male symbol in my sig?

Sensible people have sigs turned off.

Maybe if I put a male symbol in my sig?

i don't know. no matter how many things i do to show i am male, i always get people confusing me for a woman.

There is a difference between the US and EU..Compare California and France...Think real hard about history junior.

Right, so the blatent similarities between two groups of states coming together in a common sense of profit, protection and promotion of common ideals.... you just disregard off hand?

Fair enough. Don't expect a reasoned response from now on from many people.

Sensible people have sigs turned off.
i disagree. do you also happen to have images turned off?

Right, so the blatent similarities between two groups of states coming together in a common sense of profit, protection and promotion of common ideals.... you just disregard off hand?

Fair enough. Don't expect a reasoned response from now on from many people.


Listen troll, think harder about history. Some of our states joined in less than....willing manner.

Listen troll, think harder about history. Some of our states joined in less than....willing manner.

Calling me a troll?

I reiterate:

Don't expect a reasoned response from now on from many people.

Listen troll, think harder about history. Some of our states joined in less than....willing manner.

okay. how many people are you going to label as trolls. i'll agree on the fact that Novemberstan is a troll, because of his coments on Poland, but not everyone on this forum is a troll.


*hopes not to be labeled as troll by this guy*

okay. how many people are you going to label as trolls. i'll agree on the fact that Novemberstan is a troll, because of his coments on Poland, but not everyone on this forum is a troll.


*hopes not to be labeled as troll by this guy*


Everybody on the internet is a troll at some point in there life. Trolling is like farting, everybody does it.:D

i disagree. do you also happen to have images turned off?

I do that on the fly with Greasemonkey. (https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/748/)

don't you mean Preßburg?

Yës.

okay. how many people are you going to label as trolls. i'll agree on the fact that Novemberstan is a troll, because of his coments on Poland, but not everyone on this forum is a troll.


*hopes not to be labeled as troll by this guy*
I'm just gonna crumble now. I'm the most ridiculous troll around! I troll a thing that basically handles itself (see Swilatia)

I'm an anti-Polish Troll I am!


How fucking pathetic is that, I ask You!?! I presumeably troll Poland! Jesus!

I try to off meself now!

Everybody on the internet is a troll at some point in there life. Trolling is like farting, everybody does it.:D

i don't ever remember trolling. sure in my first month on the forum i brought back a long-dead thread, but i don't remember any trolling.

i don't ever remember trolling. sure in my first month on the forum i brought back a long-dead thread, but i don't remember any trolling.

After 9,000 posts you shouldn't. :D

No, California has not been a free country for any long period of time and its entire economy and government is based around being apart of a union. France on the other hand would be..........You answer.

Uh huh. Which is why France rejected the EU Constiution, even while it tries to play big fish in European affairs?