Brussels, 03/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Thomas More Institute, a Brussels- and Paris-based think tank, has published a study on public finances and statistics in Europe. The study “Des Chiffres insincères pour une politique incertaine” reveals gaps in the European statistical system and questions data collection, their reliability and comparability. The author, Professor Philippe Saunier, criticises the inaccuracy, manipulation even, of the financial items sent by Member States to the Commission, even when they are to be used to draw up European policies. He puts forward two recommendations: the first for better European governance through “statements of intent” modelled on those which govern relations between the Internatiojal Monetary Fund (IMF) and countries with difficulties, the other at national level through approving and implementing budgets in real balance. The report is available on http: //http://www.institut-thomas-more.org (ab)