TALLINN, March 12 (Reuters) - Estonia might be able to meet the criteria that allow a country to adopt the euro as early this year, the Finance Ministry said on Thursday.
Its comments supported a statement from Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, who earlier said the small Baltic nation could adopt the single currency next year and that it might seek an assessment on its readiness in 2009.
"Estonia plans to join the euro zone in a formal way and according to existing valid criteria. It appears that we will fulfil the Maastricht criteria during this year," the ministry said in a statement.
"We have the right to apply to the European Commission and the European central bank for assessment outside of the regular reporting period of every two years," it added.
It did not say if it would definitely would apply for such an assessment this year. (Reporting by David Mardiste)