Europe's trade position improves

Europe's exporters have been complaining about the strong euro

Europe's trade position is improving despite the strong euro, according to a report from the European Central Bank.

The ECB reported a 25.6bn-euro ($37.8bn, £18.9bn) trade surplus for the 12 months to November.

That surplus compares with a 21.3bn-euro deficit over the same period in the previous year.

Politicians and manufacturers have been complaining that the strong euro has been making Europe uncompetitive in the global market.

The value of goods exported was 65.4bn euros more than those imported, three times the surplus of the previous year.

The trade position for services also improved, resulting in a surplus of 43.5bn euros.

The ECB also reported that its financial reserves increased by 200m euros to 339bn euros at the end of November.