Nationalist MEP David Casa, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Slovakia's bid to join the eurozone in January, is conducting a series of meetings in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Mr Casa forms part of the Parliament's delegation from the Commitee for Economic and Monetary Affairs. Speaking to The Times yesterday, Mr Casa said Malta is considered as an example for Slovakia's euro preparations.

Officials from Malta's National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC) recently held talks with top officials of the Slovak government and conducted training sessions.

"It is interesting to note that Malta is considered here as a shining example of how to introduce the euro without any major porblems," he said.

The European Parliament's delegation, headed by the president of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee Pervenche Beres, yesterday held separate meetings with the National Union of Employers, the Slovak Parliament, the Minister of Finance and the National Bank of Slovakia.

Earlier this year, Mr Casa held meetings with the Slovak Prime Minister when issues related to Slovakia's eurozone entry were discussed.