Traduction de «écart de croissance » (Français → Anglais) :

Summary for the “investment clause” under the preventive arm of the Pact Member States in the preventive arm of the Pact can deviate temporarily from their MTO or adjustment path towards it to accommodate investment, provided that: their GDP growth is negative or GDP remains well below its potential; the deviation does not lead to an excess over the 3 % deficit reference value and an appropriate safety margin is preserved; investment levels are effectively increased as a result; the deviation is compensated within the timeframe of the Member State’s Stability or Convergence Programme.

Countries not having an excessive deficit procedure may deviate temporarily from the MTO or from the fiscal adjustment path towards it, especially in cases of negative growth or large negative output gaps, if they invest directly in projects co-financed by the EU under the structural and cohesion policies (including projects co-financed under the youth employment initiative), trans-European networks and the Connecting Europe Facility, as well as projects co-financed by the EFSI.

Requirement of a close to balance or in surplus position || Country specific MTO in structural terms: - Provide a safety margin with respect to the 3% deficit limit - Ensure rapid progress towards sustainability - Allow room for budgetary manoeuvre For euro area and ERMII MS: limits of -1% of GDP Expenditure benchmark: expenditure net of discretionary measures should grow ≤ medium-term potential GDP || 0.5% GDP as a benchmark: - More in good times - Less in bad times >0.5% if debt above 60% or if pronounced sustainability risks Temporary deviation from the adjustment path allowed if: - Implementation of major structural reforms with a verifiable impact on the long-term sustainability of public finances – emphasis on pension reform - Unusual ...[+++] event outside the control of the MS concerned with a major impact on its financial position - Severe economic downturn for the euro area or the EU as a whole provided this does not endanger medium term fiscal sustainability || Procedure for correcting significant deviation (0.5% in one year or cumulatively over 2 years from the MTO or the adjustment path it) For euro area: financial sanctions in case of repeated non-compliance (interest-bearing deposit of 0.2% of GDP)

The discrepancy between the growth in domestic and cross-border sales is particularly significant for Internet sales for which the potential of further growth is high.

The growth gap between the EU and the US has become particularly evident since the mid-nineties.

According to Kok, “The Lisbon strategy is even more urgent today as the growth gap with North America and Asia has widened, while Europe must meet the combined challenges of low population growth and ageing.