THE European Union (EU) has nudged up its forecast for economic growth across the 19-country eurozone despite a much gloomier outlook for Greece, which is struggling to get its hands on vital bailout cash it needs to pay off debts.

    In its spring forecast published Tuesday, the EU’s executive branch said it is predicting 1.5 percent growth for the eurozone in 2015, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous forecast in February. For 2016, the commission has kept its forecast of 1.9 percent for the eurozone.

    It said the eurozone as a whole is benefiting from a number of factors, including lower oil prices, a steady global outlook, the weaker euro, the 1.1-trillion-euro (US$1.2 trillion) monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank and less stringent budget policies.

    “The European economy is enjoying its brightest spring in several years, with the upturn supported by both external factors and policy measures that are beginning to bear fruit,” said Pierre Moscovici, European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs. “But more needs to be done to ensure this recovery is more than a seasonal phenomenon.”

    The recovery is being powered by Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, which is expected to post solid growth of 1.9 percent this year, followed by 2 percent next. Another standout is Spain, which is expected to grow by a healthy 2.8 percent in 2015 and 2.6 percent the following year.

    For some it was proof that a relaxation in the government belt-tightening measures that dominated EU policy for much of the financial crisis is starting to pay off.

    “The recovery has arrived because Europe has taken a break from the policies of austerity,” the European Trade Union Confederation said in a statement. “Growth has finally been given a fighting chance.”

    One country seemingly going the other way is Greece, which is struggling to agree on a package of economic reforms with European creditors to unlock bailout funds. Without the 7.2 billion euros, Greece could face bankruptcy and a potential exit from the euro.

    The uncertainty, which has grown since the left-wing Syriza party won January’s general election on a promise to bring an end to hated austerity policies, has weighed on the Greek economy. Businesses and investors are wary of making long-term plans in a country whose economic future is clouded in uncertainty.(SD-Agencies)