Luxembourg, 22/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - (Agence Europe) - According to Eurostat, the euro zone recorded a deficit in April of 3 billion (bn) euro in its trade with the rest of the world, having seen a deficit of 3.2 bn in March. In April and March 2000, the zone saw a surplus of, respectively 0.2 bn and 3.6bn. The Communities' Statistical office, moreover, states that trade in the euro zone recorded a deficit of 5.6 bn in the first four months of 2001. Regarding the European Union (EU15), the external trade deficit was 10.4 bn euro in April 2001, 5.7 bn in March 2001 and 8.4 bn in March 2000. The deficit of the EU15 for the first four months of 2001 is estimated at 35.7 bn euro. Eurostat also states that in the period from January to April, EU trade increased, in relation to the same period last year, for all products except exports in raw material and energy.