22/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - According to Eurostat's estimates, the eurozone external trade balance was in surplus in February to the tune of EUR 4.1 billion, while the first estimates for EU15 reveal a deficit of EUR 3.8 bn. The energy deficit decreased slightly (EUR 9.3 bn in January 2002 compared with -10.4 bn in 2001) while the surplus for machinery and vehicles rose sharply (EUR 6.1 bn compare with 2.1 bn). EU15 trade flows with its major partners mainly decreased, with imports from Japan falling by 22%, from Russia by 20%, from the US by 14% and Norway 13%. Exports to Turkey fell by 26% and to Japan by 13%. The biggest increases were in exports to Russia (+29%) and imports from Turkey (+17%). China was the only major partner for which both EU15 exports (+9%) and imports (+2%) increased. EU15 trade with the US was characterised by an increase in the EU surplus (+4.1% in January 2002), while trade with Japan showed a decrease in the EU deficit (-EUR 2.2 bn). Of EU Member States, Germany registered the highest surplus (EUR 10.1 bn), followed by Ireland (+2.9bn). The UK registered the greatest deficit (-4.6 bn), followed by Spain (-2.9 bn).