Brussels, 16/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - Despite the recession suffered by the Dutch economy, the government of the Netherlands clearly indicated on Tuesday that it was choosing in favour of austerity measures intended to restrict deficits and strictly comply with the Stability and Growth Pact. "In order to be able to foresee the prospect of economic recovery, drastic measures are necessary", Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said. He warned citizens that their purchasing power could fall next year. The main measures selected include: less reimbursement from basic health insurance schemes, a freeze in the salaries of officials and a rise in taxation on petrol and cigarettes. Justifying the choice of austerity by referring implicitly to France and Germany, Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm said: "I do not believe that living by credit allows sustainable stimulation of the economy".