France says sees 2009 ending better than started

PARIS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said on Sunday she expected 2009 to end better than it would start and said France would keep its budget deficit below the EU-imposed limit for 2008.

"I think that we will finish the year 2009 better than we will start it," Largarde said in an interview on French TV channel LCI.

She said it was too early to give a growth forecast for next year. Her comments come after the French government said on Sept. 1 it planned to cut its official economic growth forecast for 2008.

When asked if France's budget deficit would hit the EU-imposed ceiling of 3 percent of GDP in 2008 -- as some studies and reports suggested -- Largarde answered:

"We will not be at a 3 percent deficit in 2008." (Reporting by Astrid Wendlandt)