BRUSSELS: The European Union's executive arm is warning that risks to the region's economy have intensified as a result of slower growth in China, weaker global trade and heightened geopolitical uncertainties.

In its winter forecast, the European Commission said Thursday that economic growth in the 19-country eurozone is projected to increase to 1.7 percent this year from 1.6 percent last year. For the wider 28-country EU, which includes non-euro countries such as Britain and Sweden, growth is expected to remain stable at 1.9 percent.

However, the Commission said the risk that growth could turn out worse than forecast has risen.

Earlier, European Central Bank Mario Draghi gave another hint that the bank is ready to expand its monetary stimulus at its next policy meeting March 10.