The changeover to the euro has to be as smooth as possible in the country's interest, Union Haddiema Maghqudin secretary general Gejtu Vella said yesterday.

Speaking during an information meeting for pensioners, Mr Vella said the National Euro Changeover Committee was carrying out sterling work preparing the country for the new currency.

The adoption of the euro has various advantages, he said, including a stable currency, price transparency, low inflation rate, the elimination of expenses related to foreign exchange and better and more effective control of the country's finances.

He also spoke about the exercise being carried out by the UHM to monitor prices in the run-up to euro adoption.

Although the final report has not yet been finalised, certain products have become cheaper while others became more expensive.

Malta has to ensure that businessmen do not increase the price of products during the changeover because despite the common perception, the euro will not lead to a rise in prices, Mr Vella insisted.