EC Says Growth Should Hit 2.6 Percent

The European Commission has upwardly revised its economic growth forecast for the 12 countries that use the euro, predicting 2.6 percent growth this year over last year’s 1.4 percent. The EU as a whole is expected to grow 2.8 percent.

“After years of disappointing results, the European Union economy in 2006 will be at its best since the beginning of the decade,” said the EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner.

Next year, growth is expected to stand at an annual 2.1 percent in the euro zone, accelerating to 2.2 percent in 2008 as consumer confidence improves.