The EPRA/NAREIT Europe Index continued to show strong returns in December (+8.8%), finishing the last year 49.4% higher compared with 2005. All major European countries were well ahead, according to the index: the UK led the field on 9.6%, followed by the Netherlands on 9.1%. France 'continued its excellent run' with a +8.1% performance and Sweden continued to bounce back (+8.4%) 'following poor results in the mid of 2006', the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) said in the latest index quarterly report.