1.

From 1991 data for the former German Democratic Republic are included in the figures for the Federal Republic of Germany and accordingly in the figures for the EU as a whole.

2.

As a result of gradual introduction of data for the ex-German Democratic Republic the % TAV rates calculated from one year to another may sometimes be inconsistent.

3.

The new Intrastat system for collecting statistics on intra-EU trade was introduced in 1993. As a result, the data on intra-EU trade from 1993 onwards will no longer be comparable with the data for previous years.

4.

Present report was based on data available on 20/12/2002.

5.

From 1 January 1997 statistics for France and Spain have been amended to include the French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Réunion) and the Canary Islands respectively.

From the 2002 Report onwards, data on the Candidate Countries will gradually be included in our tables. These data are mostly based on the figures provided by Eurostat and the Directorate-General for Agriculture. The process of harmonising the national statistics in the candidate countries is still under way. The figures provided are therefore not fully comparable with the figures for the European Union and are expected to be revised frequently. We are publishing them for information only. The Commission cannot be held responsible for how the figures given for these countries are used or interpreted.