17/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to a first estimate published by Eurostat for the month of December 2008, the eurozone had an external trade deficit of €0.7 billion with the rest of the world, compared to -€3.9 bn in December 2007. The November 2008 balance was -€5.8 bn, compared to +€2.3 bn in November 2007. In December 2008 compared to November 2008, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 0.9% and imports by 3.9%. The first estimate for the December 2008 extra-EU27 trade balance was a deficit of €10.4 bn, compared with -€17.7 bn in December 2007. In November 2008, the balance was -€23.6 bn, compared with -€17.0 bn in November 2007. In December 2008 compared with November 2008, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 1.0% and imports by 6.0%. Eurostat indicates, moreover, that, in 2008, euro area trade recorded a deficit of €32.1 bn, compared to +€15.8 bn in 2007. The EU27 recorded a deficit of €241.3 bn in, 2008, compared to -€192.4 bn in 2007. (O.L./transl.jl)