    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [June 19, 2000]
    [Page 1184]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Greece's Entry Into the Economic and Monetary Union
    June 19, 2000

        I congratulate Prime Minister Simitis and the Greek people on the decision today at
    the EU Summit in Portugal to bring Greece into the EU's Economic and
    Monetary Union (EMU), effective January 1, 2001. Reaching agreement to
    become a full member of the EMU a year before the euro currency is
    introduced demonstrates Greece's remarkable economic progress in recent
    years. This economic success complements Greece's increasingly active
    political role within the EU.
        Through determination and hard work, Greece succeeded in meeting all
    the Maastricht Treaty economic criteria. Entry into the EMU is not the
    end of the race but the start of a challenging new phase of economic
    reform. We wish the Hellenic Republic every success as it moves ahead
    and hope this will usher in a new era of increased trade and investment
    between our two nations.