Last year, this quota was even slightly above 9%. However, for me inclusion is not just about the fulfilment of legal obligations. It is diversity at its best and thus a genuine enrichment. We therefore want to continue on this successful path. Gender equality is a goal that we have been pursuing since 1994. But we still have a long way to go.
Notably, since the inception of the financial crisis, those countries have undergone a significant adjustment path, in some cases supported by EU/IMF financial assistance programmes. When we compare today with the situation in 2008, we see an impressive adjustment along several of the main economic variables. Fiscal deficits have been significantly reduced and in those countries the primary fiscal balance is now positive.