EU predicts recession will continue through 2013May 3, 2013 - 13:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union is predicting that the recession in the 17 EU countries that use the euro will continue through 2013 with unemployment remaining at record levels. In its spring economic forecast on Friday, May 3, the EU said that gross domestic product in the eurozone will shrink by 0.4 percent this year, better than the 0.6 percent for 2012. Some countries, however, will fare worse than others. In crisis-hit Cyprus, GDP is set fall by 8.7 percent this year. Unemployment across the eurozone is expected to hit an average of 12.2 percent, up from 11.4 percent in 2012. In both Greece and Spain it is expected to peak at 27 percent. Commissioner Olli Rehn said that "in view of the protracted recession, we must do whatever it takes to overcome the unemployment crisis." Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |