France is hovering on the edge of a recession, which would be bad news for Europe.

The French government said Tuesday that the economy showed no growth for the third straight quarter.

France is the European Union's second largest economy, and many of the other major economic powers in Europe are already in recession, including Britain, Italy, and Spain.

Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici expressed hope for growth in the second half of the year.

During a radio interview he admitted the economy is "too weak" but stressed that France is staying stable even as "most of its partners" are in recession.