2. The total [[national debt|government debt]] must be below 60% of GDP.<br />
2. The total [[national debt|government debt]] must be below 60% of GDP.<br />
3. The country must have an [[inflation]] rate within 1.5% of the lowest 3 inflation rates of EU countries.<br />
3. The country must have an [[inflation]] rate within 1.5% of the lowest 3 inflation rates of EU countries.<br />
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4. Nominal Long-term [[interest]] rates must be within 2% of the [[interest rate]] of countries with the lowest 3 [[inflation rate]]s.<br />
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4. Nominal Long-term [[interest]] rates must be within 2% of the [[interest rate]] of countries with the lowest 3 [[inflation rate]]s.<ref>http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/adoption/who_can_join/index_en.htm</ref><br />
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In addition to these criteria a member state's currency must fluctuate within the margins allowed. Countries were allowed to join the common currency if their budget deficit and total [[government debt]] were approaching the reference values at a 'satisfactory pace', but not actually on them.
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In addition to these criteria a member state's currency must fluctuate within the margins allowed. Countries were allowed to join the common currency if their budget deficit and total [[government debt]] were approaching the reference values at a 'satisfactory pace', but not actually on them.