Eurozone economy exited recession in the second quarter of 2013, preliminary data released by Eurostat showed Wednesday.

The gross domestic product expanded 0.3 percent quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter following a 0.3 percent contraction in the first quarter. Economists had forecast a GDP growth of 0.2 percent.

Compared with the same quarter of 2012, seasonally adjusted GDP fell 0.7 percent. This was slightly weaker than the expected 0.8 percent fall.

Euro area's recession persisted for six quarters. Earlier today, Germany and France recorded stronger-than-expected growth rates for the second quarter.