Slovakia became the 16th nation to join the euro region, after record advances in economic growth and its currency koruna helped the eastern European country qualify to adopt the common currency.

Slovakia, which joined the European Union in 2004, is the second former communist nation to complete the switch after Slovenia. It passed up Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic into the euro zone at a time other candidates are scrambling to make the change to shield themselves from the brunt of the worldwide financial crisis.

"We are waving goodbye to the Slovak currency, to which we have become strongly emotionally attached," said Prime Minister Robert Fico, who withdrew 100 euros ($140) from an ATM bank machine in the Parliament building near Bratislava Castle.