Two Latvian MEPs give their opinions on Latvia becoming the 18th member of the eurozone.

Talking point: Latvia to join euro club?

Will Latvia become the 18th member  of the eurozone?

Today it took one step closer,  as the government in Riga

officially put in their bid for membership.

But opinion polls show 59% of Latvians  are against it. So what is the path ahead?

We ask two Latvian MEPs Ivars Godmanis  and Tatjana Ždanoka their opinions.

I'm absolutely in favour.  There are several reasons why.

Firstly, we are deeply integrated  in Europe.

Our exports are something  like 77% to Europe.

I don't think it's time to join the eurozone  now in a time of crisis.

Public opinion is against the euro,  so why adopt it?

Public opinion is very negative  with respect to the euro.

Our economic situation will be worsened  just to fulfil the Maastricht criteria.

De facto the people  have already agreed with the euro.

As I said, if you have taken  80% of loans in euros

and you keep deposits in euros,  then actually you agree.

For me it's not realistic to say  a bright future or a bad future.

We are one of the first countries  that passed the fiscal stability law,

We have unemployment,  we are the third poorest country in the EU.

There is no prosperous future  for our country.