09/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - in an interview published on Thursday in the Spanish economic daily, Cinco Dias, Joaquin Almunia declared that he hoped to be able to see euro zone growth forecasts revised upwards next month. The European Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs said on 20 August that growth in the zone should be stronger than the 1.7% expected by the Commission in spring. He is expecting that inflation will be slightly more than 2% in the euro zone this year. He considers that the strength of the Euro had helped them to face down high crude oil prices with a "certain tranquillity". According to the Commissioner geo-political uncertainties and trade deficit risks with the USA could constitute the most serious risk to growth at a world level.