92002E2923

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2923/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 October 2002)

Subject: Reliability of debt and deficit data for Greece

The most recent Eurostat data (30 September 2002) on EU Member States' deficits and public debts includes the observation that Eurostat cannot certify the data for Greece and that certain information on government transactions is still pending or incomplete; Eurostat says that it intends to collaborate with the Greek Government to revise the data.

1. Why has Eurostat set out this proviso?

2. For which data is certain information pending or incomplete?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

1. Eurostat publishes twice a year a press release in occasion of the two official notifications of Member States for deficit and debt data. Eurostat inserts a footnote in its press release whenever it is not in a position to certify the figures included in the notification due to the lack of information on certain transactions or disagreement about their classification. This information arrived only after the press release and is now carefully examined.

2. Eurostat is currently investigating the background of some transactions involving general government, in co-operation with the Greek authorities. It is expected that all outstanding issues will be settled before the next official notification foreseen in February 2003.