Council Opinion

of 18 January 2005

on the updated convergence programme of Sweden, 2004-2007

(2005/C 79/04)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and co-ordination of economic policies [1], and in particular Article 9(3) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation of the Commission,

After consulting the Economic and Financial Committee,

HAS DELIVERED THIS OPINION:

| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |

Real GDP(% change) | CP Nov 2004 | 3,5 | 3,0 | 2,5 | 2,3 |

COM autumn 2004 | 3,7 | 3,1 | 2,9 | n.a. |

CP Nov 2003 | 2,0 | 2,6 | 2,5 | n.a. |

HICP inflation(%) | CP Nov 2004 | 1,3 | 1,5 | n.a. | n.a. |

COM autumn 2004 | 1,1 | 1,5 | 1,9 | n.a. |

CP Nov 2003 | 1,7 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |

General government balance(% of GDP) | CP Nov 2004 | 0,7 | 0,6 | 0,4 | 0,9 |

COM autumn 2004 | 0,6 | 0,6 | 0,8 | n.a. |

CP Nov 2003 | 0,6 | 1,4 | 1,9 | n.a. |

Primary balance(% of GDP) | CP Nov 2004 | 2,8 | 2,8 | 2,7 | 3,3 |

COM autumn 2004 | 2,7 | 2,8 | 3,0 | n.a. |

CP Nov 2003 | 0,9 | 1,7 | 2,1 | n.a. |

Cyclically-adjusted balance(% of GDP) | CP Nov 2004 | 0,8 | 0,5 | 0,5 | 1,2 |

COM autumn 2004 | 0,7 | 0,4 | 0,6 | n.a. |

CP Nov 2003 | 1,3 | 1,8 | 2,0 | n.a. |

Government gross debt(% of GDP) | CP Nov 2004 | 51,7 | 50,5 | 50,0 | 49,0 |

COM autumn 2004 | 51,6 | 50,6 | 49,7 | n.a. |

CP Nov 2003 | 51,5 | 50,0 | 48,3 | n.a. |

[1] OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.

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