EU's Van Rompuy sees European economic revival in 2014

Brussels (AFP) - European Council President Herman Van Rompuy on Sunday forecast an economic upswing for Europe in 2014 in an interview with Belgium's Flemish-speaking broascaster VTM.

Even euro-strugglers such as Spain and Greece are showing signs of positive growth, Van Rompuy told VTM News.

While 2013 saw European Union nations overcome the crisis, 2014 will be the year of revival though this is not yet visible in continuingly poor unemployment data, he said.

Creating jobs will require more time, said Van Rompuy, who is currently working on a book to be titled "Europe after the storm".

"In the eurozone, except Slovenia and Cyprus, we will go to positive economic growth," he added, referring to the 17 nations currently sharing the euro.

He brushed off fears that elections to the European Parliament in May will see a sharp rise in eurosceptic populist parties.

"Euroscepticism is something of all times," he said, pointing to the longtime popularity of France's former far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, who has been succeeded by his daughter Marine Le Pen.

"I am convinced that an overwhelming majority of Europe's population favours the EU, even if euro-adverse parties form a strong minority," he said.