|
PARIS (AP) - France's budget deficit dropped below the 3 percent European Union limit in 2005 for the first time in four years, and France said Friday it may be able to cut it further this year.
The deficit fell to 48.9 billion euros ($58.8 billion), or 2.9 percent of gross domestic product in 2005, from 60.3 billion euros, or 3.7 percent of GDP, in 2004, statistics agency Insee said.
Finance Minister Thierry Breton predicted that a return to stronger economic growth would enable France to cut the public deficit to 2.8 percent this year, instead of the 2.9 percent previously targeted.
|