The numbers depict a solid and balanced economy, in many respects more so than other advanced areas of the world. European monetary union has confirmed economic integration in these years, giving it new impetus.
The traditionally most virtuous countries have made a special contribution to the rest of the area: the example of sound policies, prudent on public expenditure, attentive to the needs of a structurally competitive productive system; and a basic national consensus on the objectives of price stability and social cohesion.