27/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 April, the Council adopted without debate, several decisions illustrating excessive deficits (Article 104§6 of the Treaty) in France, Greece, Ireland and Spain, as well as the absence of effective measures in the United Kingdom (Article 104§8). In simultaneously approved recommendations (Article 104§7), the Council called on these five member states to bring their deficits down to below the 3% GDP ceiling in compliance with Commission requirements (EUROPE 9868). The deadlines granted for correcting the excessive deficits are therefore: 2010 at the latest for Greece, 2012 for Spain and France, 2013 for Ireland and 2013-14 for the United Kingdom. The Council also approved Cyprus' stability programme (EUROPE 9868). (A.B./trans/rh)