| EU Sets Deadlines for Deficit Countries |
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Spain is among the countries targeted as EU finance ministers adopted new recommendations for 14 countries given firm deadlines to bring bloated public deficits back under tight control. Budget overspending and consequent national debt, already a severe problem for many countries before the financial crisis, are now turning into a critical dilemma for some nations, notably Greece, as they recover from the slump with deficits three times the required limit. Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Revised recommendations for Britain, France, Ireland and Spain were also agreed, while Greece was again reprimanded for failing to take adequate "corrective measures" to-date. Ireland, France and Spain have been subject to the excessive deficit procedure since April 2009 and Britain since July 2008. Belgium and Italy were given until 2012 to reduce their deficits below the three percent of gross domestic product laid down by EU rules. Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain were each given until 2013. Ireland has until 2014 and Britain until the 2014-15 financial year, the council said, adopting adjusted European Commission recommendations. The deficit action is seen as the cornerstone of broader exit strategies from swollen economic pump-priming by governments over the past two years in efforts that staved off a prolonged depression. As Europe emerged from recession, the ministers agreed on the timetable after figures issued last month showing that eurozone public deficits were set to triple this year to 6.4 percent of GDP and almost 7.0 percent in 2010. Only seven EU members -- Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Luxembourg and Sweden -- have respected the three percent limit. Greece's public deficit is expected to hit 12.7 percent of output this year, with Athens having outlined plans to reduce it to 9.1 percent next year. Member states have formally agreed to start beating a retreat on unsustainable housekeeping by 2011 at the latest, ongoing recovery permitting. |
Spain still most popular
Spain is still the most popular destination for overseas property seekers, new research has revealed.Property portal Prime Location has said that 30 per cent of all searches in November were for Spain, with France in second place on 29 per cent and the US in third with 21 per cent.The overall tally of
Markets
There are markets along the Costa del Sol every day except Sundays and these usually operate from about 9/10am until about 2pm. They tend to be manned by the same stall holders who set up their stalls somewhere different every day and then pack them away about 2pm only to start all over again the next morning.
You will find a wide range of goods on sale such as clothes, shoes, towels and blankets, ceramic pots and dishes to mention just a few. The prices tend to be fixed but if you think they are too high you may managed to barter with a few of the sellers - they may claim not to speak English but most of them have some knowledge of the language.Below we have created a complete list of markets on the Costa del Sol by day. There are also flea markets on some days which sell some old Spanish items which you may find interesting.
Costa Del Sol Markets
What do the markets offer?
Vegetable and fruit: If you are a lover of fresh fruits, nuts, olives, vegetables, herbs and flowers then the weekly town and village markets are the best places to buy it. You can’t find it cheaper anywhere or better quality else.
Ceramic and Pottery: Andalucía produces a lot of ceramic and pottery. Every region