On January 1, The two million inhabitants of Slovenia will start trading with the euro. Slovenia is the 13th member of the eurozone and the first among the EU's newest members to qualify to use the currency.

  Experts believe the adoption of the euro would boost Slovenia's exports and bring macroeconomic stability.

  Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa has called the switch the "biggest national achievement" since his country joined the European Union.

  The Slovenian tolar and the euro will be in dual use for only 14 days -- as of January 15, the euro will be the only currency.

  Slovenia becomes the first of the 10 nations that joined the EU in 2004 to use the euro. In 2008, Estonia, Latvia, Cyprus and Malta will enter the eurozone.

  Euro banknotes and coins have been in circulation since 1 January 2002 and are now a part of daily life for 315 million Europeans living in the euro area. The euro provides economic cohesion among EU nations.