By Mucahithan Avcioglu
ISTANBUL (AA) - The euro area economy grew 0.3% in the fourth quarter of last year, matching preliminary estimates, according to data released Friday by Eurostat.
The figure followed a 0.3% quarter-on-quarter expansion in the previous quarter.
Across the European Union, gross domestic product (GDP) also expanded 0.3% during the same period.
Among member states, Lithuania posted the strongest quarterly growth, with GDP rising 1.7%, followed by the Greek Cypriot Administration with 1.4% and Poland with 1%.
Meanwhile, Romania saw the largest contraction in the October-December period, with the economy shrinking 1.9%, followed by Ireland with a 0.6% contraction..
On an annual basis, the eurozone’s GDP expanded 1.3%, compared to 1.5% for the wider EU, Eurostat said.
The eurozone represents the 21 member states that use the euro as their official currency.