Cyprus, Malta Adopt the Euro; Eurozone Club Members Expand to 15

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Byline: John Leonidou

NICOSIA, Jan. 1 (AFP) -- Cyprus and Malta joined the eurozone on Tuesday, bidding farewell to the Cyprus pound and Maltese lira, expanding the club of countries using the single European currency to 15.

The eastern Mediterranean island adopted the euro one hour ahead of Malta to the west, less than four years after both states joined the 27-member bloc.

While Cyprus adopted a low-key approach, with President Tassos Papadopoulos making a symbolic withdrawal of euros from a finance ministry automatic teller machine, the smaller island of Malta welcomed the euro with a spectacular fireworks display.

As folk, pop and rock concerts were under way in Valletta's Grand Harbour, Prime …