The European Commission has said it will press ahead with further economic integration within the euro zone regardless of Britain's decision on the euro.
But the Commission declined to comment on Mr Gordon Brown's economic analysis yesterday, insisting that it was an internal, British political issue.
"The Commission welcomes the ongoing debate in the UK about euro membership. We shall continue to follow the debate in the UK with interest while continuing to pursue further integration within the euro area," the Commission said in a statement.
Sweden, which will hold a referendum on joining the euro in September, interpreted Mr Brown's statement as a declaration of Britain's commitment to joining the euro. Mr Par Nuder, Sweden's minister for policy coordination, said that Mr Brown had made a strong case for euro membership.
"Both Brown and Blair have tied themselves to the mast and will work towards fulfilling their five tests, and then to hold a referendum. They have made their decision. That's what was new and interesting," he said.
The most recent opinion polls show 48 per cent of Swedes opposing euro membership, with 34 per cent in favour. Britain, Sweden and Denmark are the only EU member-states that have not adopted the single currency.
Within the euro zone, Germany's finance ministry said in a statement that it understood Britain's reasons for postponing its decision on the euro.
"Over the long-term, Britain's joining the euro would be an advantage both economically and politically for the currency and Britain," said the statement.
The British MEP, Mr Graham Watson, who leads the Liberal group in the European Parliament, said that yesterday's decision was against Britain's interests.
"Mr Brown's unwillingness to grasp the political nettle is condemning Britain to further years of carping from Europe's sidelines," he said.
