Europe
Trichet on current issues on the ECB and the euro
In a speech on 'Current issues on the European Central Bank and the euro' given on 27 September, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the ECB has never overreacted to economic data and developments, and has therefore ensured that the euro zone economy is…
ECB member warns on oil price impact to growth
European Central Bank governing council member Vitor Constancio warned on Tuesday 28 September that high oil prices have not yet hurt global economic growth rates and inflation but the risks of a negative impact on both are real.
Trichet on prospects for the European economy
In a speech on 'European economy: current state and prospects' given on 23 September, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said in the absence of fiscal discipline, price stability can only be maintained at a higher cost in terms of interest rates.
ECB's Papademos sees faster eurozone growth
European Central Bank Vice President Lucas Papademos said at the weekend that economic growth in the dozen euro member countries may be faster in coming quarters than has previously been forecast.
ECB chief sees recovery, warns on deficit easing
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told the Eurpoean Parliament on Wednesday 23 September that the eurozone economy was on track for modest further growth next year but condemned proposals to ease budget rules as "dangerous".
Trichet on International Financial Architecture
In a speech on the transformation of the International Financial Architecture given on 20 September, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said we have already done a lot of research in the understanding of this new global financial system. We understand why…
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on card payments
In a speech on 'Card payments and the European financial integration' given on 21 September, Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said beyond its role of facilitator, the ECB intends to strengthen its oversight policy in the area of retail payment systems…
ECB's Issing sees inflation falling below 2%
The European Central Bank is unhappy with the current level of inflation in the eurozone but expects it to fall below 2% in the second quarter of next year, chief economist Otmar Issing said on Monday 20 September.
ECB, BOJ right on wait and see policy says OECD
OECD chief economist Jean-Philippe Cotis said that the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan are right to maintain a "wait and see" positions in their monetary policies.
ECB chief economist says Pact losing its bite
The European Central Bank's chief economist has described the current status of the eurozone's Stability and Growth Pact as 'intolerable'. Otmar Issing told the German newspaper Die Welt that without a credible threat of sanctions, the pact was 'losing…
Juncker confirmed as Mr Euro
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker was named on Friday 10 September as the first "Mr Euro", a political figurehead to represent the 12-nation eurozone.
ECB Monthly Bulletin, September 2004
The European Central Bank published its September 2004 Monthly Bulletin on Thursday 9 September, saying that "strong vigilance" is needed to ensure that inflation slows below 2 percent next year as an economic recovery in the eurozone strengthens and oil…
Tumpel-Gugerell on the Single Euro Payments Area
In the speech 'Time to act: clear objectives and a convincing roadmap for the Single Euro Payments Area' given on 6 September, Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said to achieve the Single Euro Payments Area, it's best for the European Payments Council…
Almunia not expecting ECB objection to Pact change
EU economic and monetary affairs commissioner Joaquin Almunia has said the European Central Bank is not expected to oppose possible changes to the stability and growth pact.
EU set to relax eurozone budget rules
The European Union was set to propose loosening its much-criticised budget rules supporting the euro on Friday 3 September, by allowing countries with economic troubles to be exempt from the uniform standard for deficits in favour of country specific…
Papademos at the Euro Banknote Design Exhibition
In a speech at the Opening of the Euro Banknote Design Exhibition given on 11 August, Lucas Papademos of the ECB said our common currency, the euro, whose creation has inspired the many attractive designs that are on display here, also stands for a…
ECB press conference with questions and answers
At the ECB's press conference on Thursday 2 September, after holding eurozone interest rates unchanged, Jean-Claude Trichet said looking ahead, the conditions for a continuation of the recovery remain in place. We expect the economic recovery in the euro…
Poll thinks ECB unlikely to increase rates
A recent poll of economists showed that there are strong expectations that the ECB will not raise interest rates until the first half of 2005, waiting for proof of a pickup in consumer demand which would protect against a global slowdown.
ECB study finds inflation targets do work
A recently published working paper by the European Central Bank investigates the impact of inflation targeting, and concludes that explicit inflation targets do have a significant effect on inflation expectations and persistence.
ECB's Guy Quaden says no rate rise
In an interview with L'Echo on 12 August, Guy Quaden offered reassurances that the ECB had no plans to raise interest rates in the immediate future.
Interview with ECB's Lucas Papademos
In an interview published by Il Sole 24 Ore this week, vice President of the European Central Bank Lucas Papademos said that since last April the ECB has preferred to cease using the word "appropriate" so as to dispel the impression that had prevailed in…
ECB Monthly Bulletin, August 2004
The European Central Bank published its August 2004 Monthly Bulletin on 12 August. In the Bulletin the ECB said rising oil prices may hurt the economy in the 12 eurozone nations and keep inflation above the bank's limit into early next year.
Eurozone recovery at risk, says IMF
The eurozone's recovery remains fragile and is vulnerable to weak consumer demand and the risk of a further rise in the already strong euro, the International Monetary Fund warned the single currency's member states on Tuesday.
Dallas Fed's McTeer on transparency
In a speech given on 13 July Bob McTeer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said that Europe seems to be doing better economically, but what it greatly needs are economic reforms - especially labour market reforms-to give them good job growth.