1.   It certainly has distinguished alumni, honored dead and some of the toughest entrance criteria imaginable.

2.   The U.K. monetary authorities have consistently said the U.K. should meet the entrance criteria whether or not the government decides to enter the monetary union.

3.   He added that expansion would not end this summer, and that countries that meet entrance criteria can be admitted later.

4.   He said all five entrance criteria must be met to ensure the future European currency is rock-solid.