01/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - According to the figures published by Eurostat, the current account deficit of the EU 15 Europe with third countries recorded a deficit of EUR 6.8 billion in the third quarter 2000, against a surplus of EUR 1.6 billion in the third quarter 1999 and a deficit of 8.8 billion in the third quarter 2000. The Communities statistical office indicates that the rise in the current account deficit of the EU 15 recorded during the first three quarters of last year is mainly due to the growth on good imports, the rise in oil prices as well as the rise of the Dollar. As for the extra-EU 15 balance of trade in services it recorded a surplus of EUR 4.2 billion during the third quarter 2000, against a surplus of 45 billion in the third quarter 1999 and a surplus of 1.6 billion in the second quarter 2000.