The EU Commission has forecast that economic growth in the euro zone should pick up to 0.4-0.7% in the first half of this year, after a sluggish 0.4% in 2003.
The commission's forecasts were unchanged from previous predictions, which have indicated that the euro zone is set to recover slowly from a prolonged slowdown of recent years.
The growth figures follow data indicating that euro zone business activity stalled in February, as bosses grew cautious about recovery amid the strength of the euro and until there are stronger signs of improved domestic demand.
