TALLINN, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Estonia's 2010 budget cleared its latest parliamentary hurdle with the completion of its second reading, with the final reading is expected to be held in early December, parliament said on Wednesday.
Estonia is aiming at euro zone membership from Jan. 1, 2011 with a tight fiscal policy that will keep the budget deficit at the Maastricht criteria of 3 percent of gross domestic product despite the economy contracting by an expected 14.5 percent this year and by 2 percent in 2010.

"The only amendment to find parliament's support was one supported by the finance committee and (contained) some proposals from the ministries," Gunnar Paal, a parliamentary press officer told Reuters.
After the second reading spending was set at 89.6 billion kroons ($8.56 billion) for 2010, similar to 2009, with revenues expected at 84 billion kroons, he added.
Estonia's government is hoping to meet all euro zone membership criteria in spring of 2010.
($1= 10.47 kroons)
(Reporting by David Mardiste; Editing by Toby Chopra) Keywords: ESTONIA BUDGET/

(Tallinn Newsroom, +372 5290992, david.mardiste@thomsonreuters.com, Reuters Messaging: david.mardiste.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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