Official figures show that the euro zone economy grew at its fastest pace for six years in 2006, expanding by 2.7% after growth of 1.4% in 2005.
Figures from the EU's Eurostat agency showed that in the final quarter of 2006, the euro zone economy expanded by 0.9% and by 3.3% over one year.
The result exceeded economists' forecasts for growth of 0.5% over the quarter and an annual rate of 2.9%. The figures showed that growth accelerated in the final quarter of 2006 in all of the euro zone's biggest economies.
Separate figures showed that euro zone industrial output grew more quickly than expected in December, surging 1% in the month and 4% over one year. It marked a pick-up from November when the production of euro zone factories and refineries grew 0.3% over the month and 2.7% over one year.
