EU charts decrease in energy trade deficit

The trade deficit for energy for the 28 members of the European Union was down 8 percent from the first six months of 2013, data Monday show.

Eurostat, the statistical office for the European Union, published trade data for the first six months of the year.

For energy, the EU 28 posted a $222.6 billion deficit from January to June, 8 percent lower than the previous year.

Eurostat provided no data on specific energy trade. Nevertheless, with members of the EU trying diversify an energy market dependent on Russia, Eurostat showed overall imports from Russia were down 6 percent during the first six months of 2014 when compared to last year.

Trade with Norway, another top energy supplier to Europe, was down 5 percent year-on-year.

In May, the agency reported seasonally adjusted gross domestic production for the EU 28 during the second quarter rose 0.2 percent year-on-year.