"Striking while the iron is hot": with this image, the commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, Joaquín Almunia, invites the EU member states to "keep moving on and balance the public accounts", a prerequisite to seize the opportunities offered by the current economic recovery. In looking at the economic situation of the 13 countries that use the single currency, Almunia explains: "The excellent economic results of the euro-zone, as well as reflecting the current economic recovery, also benefit from the macroeconomic policies of the economic and monetary Union (EMU) aimed at stability and from the efforts made by the member states in their structural reforms". Therefore the governments must "strike while the iron is hot. They must tidy up the public finance, implement the reforms that will increase the growth potential of the euro-zone, and keep a leading position on the world’s issues". According to the document of the Executive, "during the last twelve months, the area’s economy has grown stronger. At a rate of 2.7%, in 2006 it has had its fastest growth since 2000". Employment statistics are also on the bright side (+1.5% in 2006), as about 2 million new jobs have been created; inflation stayed at about 2%.
