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BRUSSELS The European Union cut its already-low economic-growth forecasts further Tuesday, indicating the recovery will remain sluggish amid problems for the bigger countries, particularly France and Germany.

The official forecast for growth this year in the 18-country eurozone was cut to 0.8 percent from a prediction of 1.2 percent made in the spring.

Indicating little good was expected next year, too, it reduced the 2015 prediction from 1.7 percent to 1.1 percent.

"The situation in the euro area remains extremely fragile," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Unemployment in the currency union was forecast to decrease at a painfully slow rate. After 11.6 percent this year, it is expected to dip to 11.3 percent next year and 10.8 percent in 2016.

The broader 28-nation EU, which includes non-euro members such as Britain and Sweden, was expected to grow 1.3 percent this year from a previous 1.6 percent forecast.

To help speed up the recovery, EU Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said the bloc should focus on spending on special projects, for which the EU Commission has a $375 billion plan.

He said the plan would be presented to the EU parliament before the end of the year. "There is a real sense of urgency."

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European Union cuts growth forecasts as big economies falter