51.   France and Germany both are struggling to meet the strict financial requirements for joining the euro.

52.   Greek Finance Minister Yannos Papantoniou told fellow ministers Greece will satisfy the criteria for joining the euro by the end of the year.

53.   Hain said a public vote was guaranteed to favor joining the euro and the pound could be abandoned within two and a half years of the referendum.

54.   Hain said a public vote was guaranteed to favor joining the euro, and the pound could be abandoned within two and a half years of the referendum.

55.   Hague accused Blair of trying to force the Britain to join the euro.

56.   Hague pinned much of his unsuccessful campaign on his opposition to joining the euro, the European common currency.

57.   Ideally, there should be a German parliamentary debate on whether to join the euro before the list of participants is finalized, Hankel said.

58.   However, Britain and Denmark are among four EU nations choosing not to join the euro initially.

59.   If the government does decide to join the euro, the decision would be subject to a referendum.

60.   If Britain joins the euro, it is likely do so only at an exchange rate more favorable for the pound.