Jacek Rostowski, Poland's finance minister and newly appointed deputy prime minister, told radio station RMF FM that Poland has a long way to go before it is prepared to adopt the euro.

Mr Rostowski explained that Poland will have to carry out many reforms before it can enter the euro zone. “We have a lot to do before Poland is ready for the euro. We need to make it ready so that it can really benefit from the euro,” he said. He explained that Poland has to be more competitive so that it can develop autonomously within the euro zone.

“Adopting the euro can make an economy stronger, if it is prepared, but it can also dramatically weaken it, if not ready,” the recently nominated deputy prime minister explained and added that it could take many years before Poland could adopt of the common currency.

“I cannot imagine being deputy prime minister, finance minister, or even still active in politics when Poland enters the euro zone,” Mr Rostowski said.

Poland A.M.