The EU25 external current account recorded a deficit of 26.1 billion euros in the fourth quarter of 2005, as compared to a surplus of 1.7 billion euros in the fourth quarter of 2004 and a deficit of 21.8 billion euros in the third quarter of 2005, Eurostat reported on Friday.

In the fourth quarter of 2005 the EU25 external balance of trade in services recorded a surplus of 11.6 billion euros as compared to a surplus of 9.7 billion euro in the fourth quarter of 2004 and a surplus of 8.5 billion euros in the third quarter of 2005.

Preliminary results for 2005, compared to 2004, show an increase in the EU25 external current account deficit with -88.0 billion euros compared to -18.5 billion euros and a slight increase in the surplus of the services account with 44.9 bn euros compared to 43.9 bn euros, said Eurostat. (1 euro = 1.20 dollars)

Source: Xinhua