The EU25 external current account recorded a deficit of 6.9 billion euro in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared with a deficit of 26.3 billion euro in the fourth quarter of 2005 and a deficit of 21.7 billion euro in the third quarter of 2006.



In the fourth quarter of 2006 the EU25 external balance of trade in services recorded a surplus of 16.8 billion euro compared with a surplus of 16.3 billion euro in the fourth quarter of 2005 and a surplus of 16.6 billion euro in the third quarter of 2006.

Preliminary results for 2006, compared with 2005, show an increase in the EU25 external current account deficit
(-79.4 bn euro compared with -63.8 bn euro) and an increase in the surplus of the services account (65.8 bn euro compared with 56.3 bn euro).

These provisional data, issued by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, will be subject to revision.