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EU hails successful euro changeover in Lithuania

Xinhua, January 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Lithuania's changeover from its national currency litas to the euro has been smooth and successful, the European Union said on Friday.

According to a Commission survey, nearly nine out of ten citizens made cash payments in shops in euro only. Virtually all customers were getting their changes in euro. About two out of three citizens polled said they carry only euro cash in their wallets.

With a view to preventing abusive practices and dispelling erroneous perceptions of the evolution of prices, prices will have to be displayed in euro and litas until 30 June 2015.

The EU also noted that it is no longer possible to make payments in Lithuanian litas from this Friday, the 15 days dual circulation period having ended on 15 January.

"No major problems were encountered and banks, post offices and retailers coped well with the extra workload caused by the changeover process and the parallel handling of two currencies." the EU said. Endit