12/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - According provisional information published by Eurostat on Friday, the EU25 external current account recorded a deficit of €6.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared with a deficit of €26.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2005 and a deficit of €21.7 billion in the third quarter of 2006. The external balance of trade in services recorded a surplus of €16.8 billion compared with a surplus of €16.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2005 and a surplus of €16.6 billion in the third quarter of 2006. Preliminary results for 2006, compared with 2005, show an increase in the EU25 external current account deficit (€79.4 billion compared with €63.8 billion) and an increase in the surplus of the services account (€65.8 billion compared with €56.3 billion). (ol)