The European Union’s 2006 budget showed a e1.848 million surplus, according to the European Commission, which will be returned to member States, depending on their contributions.

Malta will get the smallest sum – just one million euros, even less than newly-accessed Romania and Bulgaria. Cyprus is to receive e2 million, while Greece will receive e32 million.

Germany will receive the lion’s share, with a return of e355 million, while Britain will follow with e308 million and France with e291 million.

The EC has expressed its total satisfaction at the way European funds are being used, while it announced that 99 per cent of funds were absorbed.

The money will not be paid in cash but will be taken into consideration in the 2007 budget, where member States’ contributions will be reduced.

According to the EC announcement, member States are set to receive the following (in euro): Belgium 51 million, Czech Republic 17 million, Bulgaria 4 million, Denmark 36 million, Germany 366 million, Estonia 2 million, Greece 32 million, Spain 159 million, France 291 million, Ireland 25 million, Italy 232 million, Cyprus 2 million, Latonia 3 million, Lithuania 4 million, Luxemburg 4 million, Hungary 14 million, Malta 1 million, Holland 84 million, Austria 41 million, Poland 42 million, Portugal 24 million, Romania 16 million, Slovenia 5 million, Slovakia 7 million, Finland 27 million, Sweden 49 million and the United Kingdom 308 million.