European Central Bank (ECB)
ECB starts publishing administrative decisions
The ECB published details of operational decisions taken by the governing council for the first time on 17 December, in a move towards greater transparency.
French fin min hints over ECB intervention
The newly appointed French finance minister, Herve Gaymard, warned in an interview that the US dollar's weakness is "very worrying" and suggested possible intervention by the European Central Bank.
Bank of Japan, a role model for the ECB?
This article looks at recent comments from Gerhard Schroder that Europe "can learn something from Japan and its great monetary policy." Japan is the only major industrialized economy in the past 70 years to experience prolonged deflation and now its much…
ECB's Gonzalez-Paramo on the euro after six years
In the speech 'The euro after six years: achievements and challenges ahead' given on 9 December Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo of the ECB said the euro has done its job in terms of fostering sustainable growth in the euro area. However, in order to achieve…
Mersch says ECB ready to act on inflation
European Central Bank council member Yves Mersch said the bank would act if inflation expectations in the eurozone rise further after record oil costs raised prices this year.
Issing on inflation persistence in the euro area
In a speech on 'Inflation persistence in the euro area' given on 10 December, Otmar Issing of the ECB said that the degree of inflation persistence "has major implications for the optimal conduct of monetary policy".
ECB's Papademos on the role of structural reforms
In a speech on 'Determinants of growth and the role of structural reforms and macroeconomic policies in Europe' given on 9 December, Lucas Papademos of the ECB said current low interest rates are conducive to economic growth in the euro zone.
Interview with ECB's Gonzalez-Paramo
Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, gave an interview this week to Il Sole 24 Ore. In the interview he said the Greek case [where the deficit has clearly been larger than that reported] speaks for…
Trichet on a stability-oriented monetary policy
In a speech on 'A stability-oriented monetary policy as a necessary condition for long term growth' given on 9 December, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said uncertainty over the future of the stability and growth pact could mean higher long-term interest…
Gonzalez-Paramo: 'strong need' for price vigilance
Jose Gonzalez-Paramo, one of the European Central Bank's governors, said on Friday 10 December that in view of the recent surge in oil prices there is a "strong need for vigilance" over medium-term price risks.
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on global view of euro
In a speech on 'The Euro - Financial strength and weakness from a global perspective' given on 6 December Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said sharp moves in exchange rates are unwelcome because of their adverse impact on investment decisions.
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on global exchange rates
In a speech on 'Exchange rate moves in a global economy: a central banking perspective' given on 3 December, Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said policies aimed at fostering macroeconomic stability should frame discussions between countries, and this…
Trichet on the integration of the single market
In a speech on 'The integration of the single market for financial services: the Eurosystem perspective' given on 6 December, Jean-Claude Trichet of the European Central Bank said the ECB will start publishing a report on the stability of the eurozone…
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on financial integration
In a speech on 'Capital Markets and Financial Integration in Europe' given on 23 November, Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said market-led initiatives are vital to make further progress in integrating the funding instruments for mortgages.
Second high-level central bank seminar in Rio
The Second High-Level Seminar of the Eurosystem and Latin American Central Banks took place on Friday 26 November in Rio de Janeiro. The Seminar was hosted by the Banco Central do Brasil and jointly organised together with the European Central Bank and…
Trichet testimony: Oil price to dampen growth
In testimony to the European Parliament given on 30 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB signalled that the bank is likely to lower its forecast for 2005 economic growth in the euro zone as the increase in oil prices impacts on consumer spending and…
Trichet: S Eastern European challenges & prospects
In a speech on 'South Eastern European challenges and prospects' given on 29 November, Jean-Claude Trichet of the European Central Bank said that the recent enlargement to ten new Member States, as well as the progress in the accession negotiations with…
ECB's Trichet on the euro in wider circles
In the speech 'Euro in wider circles' given on 19 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said structural reforms are a necessary condition for raising European growth. He added that the ECB's stability mandate is the focus of its monetary policy.
ECB offers technical cooperation to NBS
A delegation from the European Central Bank (ECB), headed by Pierre Van der Hagen, held talks with Governor Radovan Jelasic at the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) on Thursday 18 November and offered technical cooperation, Tanjug News Agency said.
Unified accounting rules adopted by EU
The European Commission said it has adopted a regulation unifying accounting rules across the EU from January 2005, with the exception of two disputed provisions, BizWorld reported on Thursday 18 November.
Gonzalez-Paramo on fiscal & monetary policy in EMU
In a speech on 'Fiscal and monetary policy in EMU' given on 11 November, Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo of the ECB said that unlike most central bankers around the world today, and throughout history, European central bankers' point of reference is no…
EU finance ministers voice concerns
Eurozone finance ministers, meeting in Brussels on Monday night, 16 November, avoided pressuring the ECB over interest rates or intervention to stabilize the euro, but did voice their concerns over the euro's strength against the dollar
ECB mourns death of Eugenio Domingo Solans
Former member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank Eugenio Domingo Solans died earlier this week after a long illness. In a message from the President on behalf of the ECB, Jean-Claude Trichet said the ECB was mourning a very dear…
ECB's Papademos on the euro: five years on
In a speech on 'The euro: five years on - Implications for Asia' given on 12 November, Lucas Papademos of the ECB said five years after its introduction, the euro is a solid, stable currency in which the markets and the public have confidence.