Brussels, 10/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - According to the draft conclusions to be adopted by the Ecofin Council this Tuesday, the Finance Ministers of the 25 are rallying behind the opinion voiced by the Commission in its latest report on public finances (EUROPE 9210). One year after the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), its application can be judged to have been a success overall, the ministers note. The budgetary adjustments helped to improve the level of public accounts by 0.8% of GNI in 2005, in both the euro zone and the EU of 25. In certain cases, the medium-term objectives are more ambitious than required by the Pact, but "some Member States need to continue and step up their efforts" to achieve this and "in many cases", the adjustments need to be supported by concrete measures, according to the conclusions, taking up the observation made by Commissioner Almunia in the report. In 2006, the economic situation is improving and we must make the most of this to increase the consolidation of public finances, they acknowledge. In this way, "the States must implement their budgets for 2006 very strictly and, when they prepare their budgets for 2007, they must maintain or accelerate the pace at which the deficit and debt are being reduced, whilst avoiding any pro-cyclical budgetary policy", the conclusions stress. The ministers went on to reaffirm the commitment of the Member States to respect their obligations, irrespective of whether they are involved in excessive deficit proceedings or to achieve their medium-term objectives, by dint of structural measures representing at least 0.5% of annual GNI.