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epa04704239 IMF Economic Counselor and Director of Research Department Olivier Blanchard responds to a question from the media at a news conference on the World Economic Outlook during the 2015 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, USA, 14 April 2015. The meetings run through 19 April. The risks of recession and deflation in the eurozone have decreased, IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard said. The Washington-based crisis lender forecasts eurozone growth at 1.5 per cent this year, up from 0.9 per cent in 2014. Lower oil prices and the European Central Bank's quantitative easing programme are major factors in the region's improved outlook, according to the IMF. EPA/SHAWN THEW