A-Z of EU membership harmonization: Education, Elections and Euro

Poland is obliged to provide children of EU citizens residing in Poland with education in their mother tongue. Polish citizens living in the EU will receive similar treatment. ELECTIONS: EU citizens residing in Poland for more than five years will have the right to vote and stand as candidates in local government elections. Poles residing in EU state will have similar rights. EURO: Presumably, at the end of 2004 the value of the zloty against the euro will be jointly agreed on. At the same time the value of the zloty will be allowed to fluctuate only within a margin of 15%. The zloty will enter the euro only if it will be able to remain within this margin for at least two years, and with a budget deficit below 3% of GDP. Additionally, the national debt may not increase above 60% of GDP, while inflation and interest rates may not exceed the EU average by more than 1.5%. It is theoretically feasible to comply with these requirements in 2007 however, in practice it may take more time. (Rzeczpospolita, Dec. 14-15, p. A3) A.Z.