Glossary of key euro pact terms

1. Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) - Often shortened to Stability Pact, these rules - established in 1997 - commit EU member states to keep control of their public finances and not to exceed the limits imposed for budget deficits or debt.

2. Budget deficits - The budget deficit of a country is essentially its tax receipts minus its public spending. Most governments spend more on schools, hospitals, transport networks etcetera than they receive from ...