The slide in European economic confidence is no surprise, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said on Thursday. "I am not surprised that (economic) confidence indicators are falling down," Almunia told reporters at an event to celebrate Slovakia's adoption of the euro. "I hope this will change as soon as possible after (recent) monetary and fiscal measures. Monetary measures are being adopted by the ECB," he added. Euro zone economic sentiment hit a record low in December official data showed on Thursday amid rising unemployment. Earlier Almunia said that European Union growth figures should hit trough in the middle of this year and a gradual recovery is possible as end-2009 approaches.