Lithuania is 19th country to adopt the euro, but currency union remains deep in crisis
Lithuania has become the 19th European country to adopt the euro – but enters a currency union deep in crisis. The former Soviet republic is the last of the Baltic nations to adopt the euro after Estonia joined in 2011 and Latvia in 2014.
As a member of the European Union, Lithuania was required by treaty to join the euro once certain economic criteria were met.
Lithuania has become the 19th European country to adopt the euro. Only two of the 28 EU members, Britain and Denmark, are exempt from adopting the euro. It is likely to be followed by other countries such as Romania and Poland. Lithuania, whose currency until now was the litas, is among the fastest growing economies in Europe.