The goods surplus rose to EUR 1.756 bln from EUR 821 million, as exports climbed 9.5% while imports increased at a softer 5.3%. Also, the primary income deficit narrowed to EUR 1.806 bln from EUR 2.1 bln.

On the other hand, the services surplus went down to EUR 2.353 bln from EUR 2,417 bln and the secondary income account posted a EUR 578 million deficit, switching from a EUR 44 million surplus.