DISINFO: Eurozone enables larger states to exploit smaller ones
SUMMARY
Older EU member states and eurozone members with large economies exploit smaller states and newer EU and eurozone members such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
RESPONSE
A recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative seeking to create or exacerbate divisions within Europe. Recent economic statistics on the GDP growth of the newer eurozone members Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia argue against any exploitation. In April 2019, the International Monetary Fund indicates the real GDP growth of these countries as follows: 3.2 % for Estonia, 3.3% for Latvia, 2.9% for Lithuania and 4.1% for Slovakia. Their GDP growth is mostly larger than in the “older” member states, such as Germany with 1.6% and France with 1.9%. Eurostat data also reveals predominately stable GDP growth in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia since the last global crisis of 2009. These numbers are also confirmed by the World Bank.