Estonia, without qualms, to join eurozone

"I don't know if there is a good time or a bad time to join the euro, but it's quite clear that it is in our interest to join the eurozone," he said in an interview in Brussels, EUobserver reported Saturday.

"It will boost business confidence, investor confidence and also the well-being and confidence of our people," he said.

Estonia is slated to become a member of the eurozone in January. But with Greece and Ireland accepting billions of dollars in international aid this year and with many worried that the debt crisis could spread, Ilves said he is frequently told it is "silly" for Estonia to join what is perceived to be a sinking ship.

Nonsense, Ilves said. "When I speak to economists, I haven't heard anyone serious say that it will have a negative effect," he said.

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