(Brussels) “Despite a slowdown, the economic fundamentals of the EU remain solid and growth will continue, albeit at a slower pace.” It’s the first message released by Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, during the presentation of the Autumn Economic Forecasts in Brussels. The second message highlights “falling unemployment” throughout Europe. Third point: inflation is expected to pick up slightly, signalling recovered dynamism in wages and private consumption. Fourth: improved budgetary policies, amidst some exceptions. Fifth: EU economy is exposed to “downside risks”, mostly linked to the international scenario. The figures: growth in the euro area is forecast to ease from from a 10-year high of 2.4% in 2017 to 2.1% in 2018, to 1.9% in 2019 and 1.7% in 2020. “The same pattern – the Commission declared – is expected for the EU27, with growth forecast at 2.2% in 2018, 2.0% in 2019 and 1.9% in 2020.”