Brussels, 22/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - German finance minister Hans Eichel says it will not be easy for Germany to meet the commitment it made at the November 2003 Ecofin Council bring its budget deficit back below the 3% of GDP limit by 2005. In an interview with Monday's edition of Die Welt, Eichel said it would be tough but the promise still held. The German government is forecasting a budget deficit of 3.5% of GDP in 2004, in excess of the ceilings set under the Stability Pact for the third year in a row. Berlin recently submitted to the European Commission a stability programme foreseeing a public deficit of 2.5% in 2005. In January or February 2004, the Ecofin Council will assess the programme in the light of comments made by the Commissioner Pedro Solbes' department.