EUROZONE economic growth was stronger than expected in the third quarter, preliminary data showed Friday, as France beat market expectations and Germany steered clear of a recession.

    A preliminary estimate by the European Union’s statistics office Eurostat showed that the economy of the 18 countries sharing the euro expanded 0.2 percent quarter on quarter in the July-September period after a 0.1 percent rise in the previous three months.

    Eurozone growth was 0.8 percent in the third quarter compared with a year ago, the same as in the second quarter, against market expectations of a 0.7 percent rise.(SD-Agencies)