French troubles over running the single currency were not to blame for Sweden's decision to stay out of the euro, says the European Commission.
The dispute over France breaching euro rules limiting national Treasury deficits was just a short-term blip which did not affect a long-term project, insists spokesman Gerassimos Thomas.
"People do not say they will not take up driving just because some other people do not respect the Highway Code," he said.
However there is concern the euro rules - the Stability and Growth Pact - are being treated as optional in larger countries, while small member states are expected to comply precisely with the economic requirements.
Under the Pact all euro members must keep budget deficits below 3% of GDP.
But the French government, struggling to maintain its national economic goals, says it will have to run a deficit of 4%, regardless of the rules.
The Germans have also been in difficulties meeting the pact criteria, and Portugal is also having difficulties.
Commission President Romano Prodi's chief spokesman Reijo Kemppinen insisted most people were happy with the single currency - 75% of people using the euro like it, he said.
"If someone does not join it is not a catastrophe, because the currency is already very powerful." he added.
"We are working for the time when everyone (in the EU) does join it".