Brussels, 26/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has threatened to initiate excessive deficit procedure against France after the declarations made on Tuesday by French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who said it is "likely" public deficit will exceed 3% of GDP from 2002 (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.7). "France, like all other Member States, must notify the Commission before 1 March of the final deficit figures and the debt for 2002. We expect to see figures notified by France so that action may be taken in consequence", Commissioner Pedro Solbes's spokesperson explained. "If the deficit notified by France for 2002 exceeds 3%, the Commission will have no other choice than to prepare a report in conformity with excessive deficit procedure", he added.