” “"In 2006, both the EU and the euro-zone should show a clearly higher growth than last years"; but we must "accomplish reforms, correct any budget imbalances and invest in research and development, innovation and education". Joaquín Almunia, commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, as he presented the "spring budget" in Brussels today, stressed the rosy prospects that await the 25 member states, but at the same time he also highlighted the dangers and weaknesses that remain in the European markets. The figures recorded by the EU Commission show that economic growth in 2006 "should be faster and stop at 2.3% within the EU and 2.1% in the euro-zone", against "1.6% and 1.3% of 2005, respectively". The new "boost is associated with a revival of investments, the powerful worldwide growth and the improvement in the German prospects". This trend of the Gross Domestic Product "should slow down in 2007 and stop at about 2.2% within the EU and 1.8%" in the twelve countries of the euro-zone. According to the Executive Committee, the job market should grow by 3.5 million new jobs in 2006-2007, compared with 3 million new employees in the previous two years’ period. This would bring the employment rate back to the record-breaking figure of 2004 (9%), 8.2% next year. Lastly, inflation will be stable too, at just slightly over 2%.” “
