Brussels, 13/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - In the first quarter of 2007, the GDP of the euro area and of the EU27 grew by 0.7%, compared with the previous quarter, when growth rates were 0.9% in both the two areas. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP grew in the first quarter of 2007 by 3.1% in the euro area and by 3.3% in the EU27. Ireland (4.7%) recorded the highest growth rate, followed by Greece (3.2%), Latvia (2.6%), Slovakia (2.4%), Estonia and Lithuania (2.3% each). In the first quarter of 2007, household final consumption expenditure remained stable in the euro area and grew by 0.2% in the EU27 (compared with rises of 0.4% and 0.6% respectively in the previous quarter). In the first quarter of 2007, household final consumption expenditure remained stable in the euro area and grew by 0.2% in the EU27 (compared with rises of 0.4% and 0.6% respectively in the previous quarter). Investment grew by 2.4% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27 (compared with rises of 1.5% and 1.9%). Exports rose by 0.8% in both zones (compared to rises of 3.3% and 2.9%). Imports increased by 1.7% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27 (compared with rises of 1.6% and 1.5%). In the US, GDP grew by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2007, compared with the final quarter of 2006, and in Japan, GDP rose by 0.8%. Compared to the first quarter of 2006, GDP rose by 1.9% and by 2.7% respectively. (ab)