PARIS, Aug 30: The second quarter slowdown increases the risk of a double dip recession in Europe but the region should escape with sluggish growth this year, Standard and Poor's said Tuesday in its latest forecasts.

The ratings agency lowered its forecast for eurozone growth to 1.7 per cent this year from 1.9pc, and to 1.5 per cent next year (1.8 percent), after Eurostat reported 0.2 per cent growth for the region in the second quarter.—AFP