The last surplus was in 1974.

Total gross debt 1997 122.2 1998 118.1 Overall fiscal balance ( deficit ( )

Total gross debt 1997 108.7 1998 107.7 Overall fiscal balance ( deficit ( )

We have a budget surplus of nearly 5 of our gross domestic product.

Equally problematic is Germany s focus on maintaining a fiscal surplus.

A budgetary surplus in national budgetary policy is a good thing, it is a saving.

This is due to budget under implementation, particularly in the Structural Funds.

Firstly, the financial year 2000 has been characterised by an exceptional level of overspending with regard to the budget, which shows that the budgetary forecasts were severely short of the mark.

63 close to balance or in surplus position .

6.2 In some countries, productive investment has declined despite a substantial budget surplus.

How can they achieve a budgetary position in the medium term that is close to balance or in surplus?

In 2005 three countries recorded a fiscal surplus ( Estonia , Latvia and Sweden ) and six countries recorded fiscal deficits .

Two years ago, the US predicted budget surpluses as far as the eye could see.

By the year 2000 a further increase in the budget surplus is planned .

Only Bulgaria , Denmark and Sweden continued to record fiscal surpluses

Mr President, the enormous budget surplus in 2000 to the tune of EUR 11.6 billion illustrates that budgetary management still leaves something to be desired.

For 2006 , the European Commission forecasts a continued fiscal surplus for Estonia and Sweden .

However, the Commission must point out discrepancies in certain points.

Spain and Ireland had fiscal surpluses and low debt GDP ratios before the crisis.

And the German government s commitment to fiscal consolidation enabled it to achieve a surplus last year by 2018, the fiscal surplus is expected to amount to 1.5 of GDP.

It had a fiscal surplus before the crisis after the crisis, its deficit increased to more than 11 of GDP.

Indeed, Finance Minister Viktor Pynzenyk reports that the state recorded a budget surplus of 0.6 of GDP during the first quarter of 2008.

The most striking aspect of this report is, once again, the significant budgetary surplus for 2001 16 .

Countries can reduce their national debt by narrowing the budget deficit or achieving a primary surplus (the fiscal balance minus interest payments on outstanding debt).

The Stability and Growth Pact also requires as a medium term objective a budgetary position that is close to balance or in surplus .

For 2004 , the European Commission Services forecasts a continued fiscal surplus for Estonia and Sweden .

It had a fiscal surplus before the crisis after the crisis, its deficit increased to more than 11 of GDP.

Indeed, Finance Minister Viktor Pynzenyk reports that the state recorded a budget surplus of 0.6 of GDP during the first quarter of 2008.

Nevertheless, observing budgetary rigour, I propose that we give up this surplus and prepare better for the 2005 financial year.

But that misses the key point Spain, Ireland, and many other distressed countries ran budget surpluses before the crisis.

Such flexibility will be ensured by achieving a fiscal position close to balance or in surplus over the medium term .

In Austria the deficitto GDP ratio increased in 1998 , and in Luxembourg the budgetary surplus declined .

These policies require Greece to maintain a very high primary budget surplus more than 4 of GDP for many years to come.

But that misses the key point Spain, Ireland, and many other distressed countries ran budget surpluses before the crisis.

Greece overspent, but Spain and Ireland had fiscal surpluses and low debt to GDP ratios before the crisis.

A significant annual surplus which causes structural year on year increases in the accumulated cash reserves is not acceptable in the long run.

After a government budget surplus of 0.4 of GDP in 2006, the budgetary outturn for 2007 is likely to be a small deficit.

The bottom line of every budget year shows a surplus, indicating that the amounts of appropriations we have voted on do not correspond to the real needs of the situation.

For this reason, the budget result for the year 2000 in the case of Germany will give a surplus of one and a half per cent of GDP.

However, another not insignificant contribution to the 2001 budget surplus came from savings in the agricultural sector totalling some EUR 1.9 billion.

Andorra Community relations, island, Monaco, San Marino airline, carriage of goods, carriage of passengers, intra Community transport D0885 airport, common transport policy, public safety, transport safety

Whereas Chile, for example, recorded a slight fiscal deficit in 2003, by 2006 it boasted an almost 8 of GDP surplus.

A budget surplus should be a matter of concern just as much as a deficit.

Three countries ( Denmark , Estonia and Sweden ) recorded a fiscal surplus , whereas the remaining ten registered fiscal deficits ( see Table 8 ) .

The Stability and Growth Pact also requires , as a medium term objective , a budgetary position that is close to balance or in surplus .