Zweden stelt referendum over invoering euro uit tot minstens 2010 (en)

Swedish prime minister Göran Persson has ruled out a referendum on Sweden joining the euro until at least 2010.

Speaking in Tokyo today (9 March), Mr Persson said, "I can't see the new referendum in Sweden before 2010", according to wire reports.

"You must respect the outcome of the referendum", he added. Swedes voted by 56-42 not to join the 12 country euro zone in mid-September last year.

But Mr Persson reiterated that he expected Sweden to join "sooner or later".

Sweden, the UK and Denmark are the only three EU countries who have not joined the single currency.

In a key budget speech in mid-March, British Chancellor Gordon Brown is expected to rule out the UK holding a referendum on the issue until after the next election - due to be held in the middle of next year.

And the issue has been off the political agenda in Denmark since Sweden voted no.

So it is likely that these three established EU countries will join the euro after the leading accession countries.

The Baltic states, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, in particular look set to join the euro well before the end of the decade.