Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made his annual New Year's speech a look back over the last year and a look forward to the next.
Economic growth is robust and has a solid foundation.
The upturn continues. In the year 2000 alone more than half a million new jobs have been created. That is still not enough. By the end of January many of you will already be beginning to see the positive effects of our tax reform on your pay checks. The worrying reports about the spread of BSE have shocked my family just as they have shocked you and your families.