People chat near a border crossing point with Estonia in Valka October 25, 2013. Latvia's adoption of the euro on January 1 may encourage investment and lower borrowing costs. The country's entry into Europe's single currency is also symbolic. It heralds another step by a former Soviet republic, still heavily dependent on Russia for energy, into the West. But two months from Latvia's euro entry, locals are unimpressed. There are few shops, some so bare and non-descript they appear to be stuck in a Soviet-era time warp. Loyal to the Latvian maiden of their notes and coins, Latvians suspect the euro will raise prices - as they did up the road in Estonia. They fear the problems Latvia faces are intractable. Picture taken October 25, 2013. To match insight LATVIA-EURO/ REUTERS/Ints Kalnins (LATVIA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)