PARIS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire expressed optimism on Wednesday that growth in the eurozone's second leading power would remain strong this year in spite of an unfavorable global business climate tainted by protectionism fears.

"French growth remains solid, I am confident about it," Le Maire told France Info radio.

On Tuesday, French national statistics institute, Insee, said the country's gross domestic product (GDP) was at 1.7 percent this year against 2.3 percent recorded in 2017, due to slowing growth in the euro area, the rise of the value of the euro, and oil prices as well as growing uncertainties related to the rising trend of protectionism.

"We are maintaining our growth forecast at 1.8 percent. We will not adjust growth every three months based on events," the minister said.

The government has previously targeted to accelerate growth by 2.0 percent, the best economic performance in six years thanks to accelerating global demand, dynamic investment and a favorable domestic business climate in the eurozone.

After an expected rebound for the 2017 to 2019 period, it forecast that economic activity would slow down slightly but remain sustained at 1.7 percent over the period 2020 to 2022.

"The budget was built on a growth assumption of 1.8 percent and in the stability program you have a rate of 2.0 percent. It is common to have differences in valuations between the budget and the stability program that is transmitted to the European Union (EU)," Le Maire stressed.?