The European currency advanced against the dollar on Tuesday after a key survey revealed a surprise jump in business confidence in Germany , the biggest economy in the Euro zone.

The EU statistical agency Eurostat said Friday that inflation in the 13 nations that share the euro achieved the highest level since consumers began using the currency in 2002 – 3 percent.

Cyprus and Malta are ready to introduce the euro on Jan. 1, which will bring to 15 the number of nations sharing the currency the European Union announced Tuesday.