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Lithuania becomes 19th member of Eurozone

Lithuania replaced the litas with the euro at midnight local time
Lithuania replaced the litas with the euro at midnight local time

Lithuania adopted the euro at the stroke of midnight local time, becoming the Eurozone's 19th member just as Greek political uncertainty is renewing concern over the single currency bloc's economic prospects.

The small Baltic state hopes ditching its litas currency for the euro will boost its security at a time of heightened anxiety over Russian activity in the region.

However, many in the former Soviet republic fear the switch will also lead to inflation.