“Considering the latest economic forecasts, I would see such a possibility on the horizon in 2015. Of course, the essence is the Maastricht criteria. Certainly, the inflation and budget deficit give the biggest headache. If we manage these criteria, there would not be any bigger problems, I think,” he said in an interview to the web portal ekonomika.lt.
Lithuania still had “to do its homework” so as to comply with the Maastricht criteria. However, it did not mean that the authorities should take artificial measures, he said.
“We should remember our attempt in 2006, which was not too successful, and this time we should be 200 percent sure. In my deep belief, sustainability and consistent stance are very important if we are to show that we are pursuing the goal in a sustainable manner and not just trying to hit the criteria... I think that economic developments shall go naturally. Any artificiality will distort the situation hence I don’t see any point in taking fiscal measures where they are not necessary,” Vasiliauskas said.
Lithuania ’s first attempt to adopt the euro early in 2007 fell through as it failed to meet the inflation criteria. The country will now seek to join the euro zone in 2015.
