Government, "Stop Euro" launch competing ad campaigns

TALLINN -- European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet has handed over to the Estonian Central Bank a symbolic "Eurostar" at the launch of a campaign to promote the euro as Estonia prepares to becom the 17th country to use the EU's single currency at the start of next year.

"The introduction of the euro is a historic moment for any EU member state," Trichet said at the event. "The euro area is not a closed shop. Its doors are open to all member states that fulfil the necessary criteria in a sustainable manner."

An organization that goes by the name of "Stop Euro", meanwhile, has launched a counter-campaign aimed at planting discontent over the country's joining the eurozone. 

"We wish to explain the necessity of national currencies and the inappropriateness of the europroject for the European nations. This exhibition points at the discrepancy between the opinion of the highest authority, the people, and the actions of policymakers," Anti Poolamets, the main organizer of the event, was quoted as saying by Estonian Public Broadcasting.

Though it has been one of the main goals of the government since joining the EU in 2004, adoption of the euro is still not a popular prospect among much of the populace.

As of last month, barely more than half of residents of Estonia support the country's decision to join the eurozone.