The European Commission (EU) hailed the smooth transition of Cyprus and Malta in joining the eurozone. Both countries began using new coins and banknotes January 1 when they officially adopted the euro. According to an EU release, retailers provided customers change only in euro:

• 92% of the time in Cyprus
• 91% of the time in Malta

On the flip side, the people of both countries still held a fair share of their national currency in their pockets and purses. According to the same EU release, a survey on January 2 indicated:

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Cyprus and Malta will both adopt the Euro on Jan. 1, 2008. When that happens, a total of 15 European Union (EU) countries will share the same currency.

Switching a country and its population over to an entirely new currency is no small task, but everything appears to be going well based on an European Commission release:

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