Europe
EC's Juncker says euro growth to miss target
European finance ministers have said economic growth in the euro region will not meet official forecasts in 2005 as oil prices stay close to a record, consumer confidence stagnates and Italy struggles with recession.
Noyer says 'market model' has lessons for France
The Scandinavian economic model, combining market flexibility with a high degree of social protection, "is full of lessons for countries such as France, Germany and Italy", said Bank of France governor Christian Noyer in an interview.
OECD report calls for eurozone reforms
Economic growth in the eurozone will halve in the next two decades unless it implements reform, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development warned on Tuesday 12 July.
ECB's Bini Smaghi warns over financial know-how
European Central Bank board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi told a news briefing on new OECD financial education guidelines that individuals' lack of understanding of financial products could lead to economic problems in future.
Integration of securities market infrastructure
This ECB paper published 7 July investigates the state and process of integration of the European securities market infrastructure. The integration of financial infrastructures is one of the basic policy goals and key responsibilities of the Eurosystem.
ECB's Trichet on the eurozone economy
In a speech to the European Parliament given on 4 July Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the bank projects inflation to be between 1.8 per cent and 2.2 per cent this year and between 0.9 per cent and 2.1 per cent in 2006, adding that "upside risks to…
Bank of Spain chief rejects ECB rate criticism
Bank of Spain governor and ECB board member Jaime Caruana denied criticism that current interest rates in Europe represent an obstacle for economic growth, Expansion reported, citing an interview with Caruana.
Trichet calls for consensus on hedge funds
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said in a speech on Wednesday 6 July that the EU and US need to reach a consensus on the regulation of hedge funds before additional regulations are introduced.
EU Parliament rejects ECB report over rate stance
MEPs rejected a report praising the European Central Bank's interest rate policy on Tuesday, saying the ECB was focusing too narrowly on stability and ignoring the need for growth.
ECB's Noyer says euro departure possible
European Central Bank (ECB) governing council member Christian Noyer said in a closed appearance in the French National Assembly last week that it would be possible, but highly risky, for member states to leave the eurozone.
IMF's Rato says no need for ECB rate cut yet
International Monetary Fund managing director Rodrigo Rato said in an interview that there is no reason for the European Central Bank to cut interest rates at the moment, but it should do so if euro zone growth weakens any further.
ECB's Liebscher says slowdown 'temporary'
European Central Bank council member Klaus Liebscher has called a slowdown in the region's economy a "temporary phase of weakness" and said rising exports and a declining euro will help revive growth by the end of 2005.
ECB reorganises human resources
The European Central Bank announced on Tuesday 28 June that it would merge the Directorate Human Resources and the Directorate Planning and Controlling into a new Directorate.
Interview with ECB's Bini Smaghi
In an interview published this week European Central Bank Executive Board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi said blaming the euro is like blaming the thermometer when you are ill. Proof that the euro is not the cause of the crisis is provided by the fact that…
Interview with ECB's Gonzalez-Paramo
In an interview published this week European Central Bank Executive Board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo said the price of oil is the main risk weighing on the recovery. But the persistence of global imbalances is also a threat.
ECB's Gonzalez-Paramo on monetary policy
In the speech 'The European Central Bank's monetary policy in an international context: principles and challenges' given on 23 June, Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo of the ECB said there is no doubt in his mind that a monetary policy strategy based on a…
ECB's Bini Smaghi says rates at historical lows
European Central Bank board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi was reported in La Repubblica newspaper as saying that the ECB's interest rates are at historical lows.
ECB's Trichet on international financial system
In the speech 'Reflections on the international financial system' given on 21 June, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said that the widening current account deficit in the United States posed a big threat to global growth.
Gonzalez Paramo says ECB rates right for now
Current eurozone interest rates are 'adequate' and 'appropriate,' European Central Bank board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez Paramo told La Gaceta de los Negocios in an interview.
Trichet on the ECB - five ideas
In an article published last week European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said that he is not preparing markets for either a cut or an increase in interest rates.
ECB member says central banks won't sway ECB
ECB Executive Board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo said late on Thursday 23 June that although rate cuts are back on the agenda at major central banks, it would not influence the European Central Bank's monetary policy.
ECB's Mersch says rates 'perfectly appropriate'
European Central Bank council member Yves Mersch said current interest rates are correct and that Italian calls to leave the euro would be a recipe for turmoil.
Eurozone hampered by lack of reform, not rates
Bank of France governor Christian Noyer said it is not the level of European Central Bank interest rates which is hampering eurozone growth, but rather it is the lack of structural reform.
France's Noyer says no bias in ECB stance
Bank of France governor Christian Noyer told a news conference that the European Central Bank has no bias in its monetary policy stance and current ECB rates remain "exactly appropriate".