Malta, in fact, was not among the first wave of new entrants in ERM II - Estonia,  Lithuania and Slovenia joined the mechanism in June 2004 - despite expectations among many international observers that Malta would have been a candidate. Put simply, we are not rushing. It should also be clear by now that even if we wanted to rush, we would not be allowed to do so. The argument has been made in some circles that the adoption of the euro should be postponed to allow a slower pace of fiscal consolidation. My reaction to that - which is spelled out in my speech to the Institute of Financial Services in November 2004 - is that fiscal consolidation is an end in itself, regardless of whether Malta adopts the euro in the short-term or not because healthy public finances are a fundamental aspect of sound economic management. A country cannot live beyond its means indefinitely. Easing the pace of fiscal consolidation, moreover, would also make meeting the fiscal criteria at a later date even more difficult as it would result in the accumulation of debt and higher debt-service payments, requiring even greater cuts in non-interest spending or increased taxation later on. This would send negative signals abroad about the country's resolve to undertake the necessary reforms, probably leading to a downgrade by credit rating agencies and harming both Malta's image as an investment location and the exchange rate.
Throughout my whole first term of office I followed these principles, and today I would like again to state that my second term of office will be governed by the same principles. I have permitted no political interference in the activities of the Bank, which is a fundamental principle underlying the Law on the BNB and the Treaty on the accession of Bulgaria to the EU. I will not allow any political meddling in the work of the BNB in my next term of office. I highly appreciate the first words of the newly elected Speaker of the 41st National Assembly at our first meeting: „Mr. Iskrov, we are well aware of the Law on the BNB, of BNB’s key role for the financial stability in the country, and in spite of our disagreement with the early timing of your reelection, no one questions the independence of the central bank. This is a question of principle, on which there is no argument”. These were Ms. Tsacheva’s first words, and I am really grateful to her for them. BIS Review 104/2009  1  Independence should certainly not be an excuse for idleness or work not done. I would emphasise once again, just as I have so far worked with two Bulgarian Governments and all legitimate political parties and their representatives regardless of the political spectrum they belong to, so they too can count on BNB’s expert advice and support in the future.