Europe
Prizewinning designs for the ECB's new premises
An international jury chaired by the ECB's Vice-President Lucas Papademos on 13 February chose the three winning designs in the architectural design competition for the new ECB premises in Frankfurt.
EU considers changes to ECB board rules
European Union finance ministers are pondering establishing rules for the selection of ECB board members to avoid lobbying between countries, an EU diplomat said on Sunday 15 February.
Trichet's testimony before the European Parliament
In testimony before the European Parliament given on 16 February Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said recent data have strengthened the ECB's expectation of an economic recovery in the eurozone and made us "more confident" that the recovery began in the…
Six EU PMs call for respect of Pact
Six European prime ministers including those from Italy, Spain and the Netherlands have called for the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact to be applied "without discrimination".
Auditors Report on ECB's operational efficiency
The European Central Bank on 12 February published the report by the European Court of Auditors on the operational efficiency of the management of the ECB for 2002, together with the ECB's reply to it.
ECB sees faster eurozone growth
The European Central Bank published its February 2004 Monthly Bulletin on 12 February. In the February Bulletin, the ECB said that in its new regular quarterly 'Survey of Professional Forecasters', the experts had revised their forecasts upwards.
Challenges for central banks in the new member states
Max Watson assesses the task facing accession countries in safeguarding financial stability. He starts by recognising the big strides already taken, and then considers the risks that lie ahead.
EU regulators to redraft settlement standards
European financial regulators are to soften proposed new standards on clearing and settlement after fierce lobbying and sustained criticism from banks and industry bodies.
ECB board member says euro rates appropriate
In a speech on Tuesday 10 February, European Central Bank executive board member Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell said the ECB is not currently considering a cut in rates and that despite the euro's rise growth predictions remain the same.
Euro rate not major target for ECB says Issing
European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing said that the euro foreign exchange rate is not a major target of the ECB's monetary policy strategies but does play an important role in the assessment of price risk.
Diplomatic fudge will not get best people for ECB
This article considers who will replace Eugenio Domingo Solans on the ECB's Executive Board. His successor must be chosen on the basis of competence only, it says, but warns that "horse trading" could be a more important factor in the choice.
ECB press conference with questions and answers
At the ECB's press conference on Thursday 5 February, after leaving eurozone interest rates on hold, Jean-Claude Trichet said he saw no need to amend the European Stability and Growth Pact and that the bank would not rush into any decision that impacted…
Trichet: The euro - five years on
In a speech on 'The euro - five years on' given on 2 February, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the Eurozone today already represents four-fifth of the number of EU countries. He added that UK entry is very warmly welcomed by all of us but depends on…
Eurozone inflation sticks at 2.0% in January
Eurozone annual inflation in January is expected to remain at two per cent according to official estimates published by the European Commission.
ECB's Padoa-Schioppa on exchange rate issues
In a speech on 'Exchange rate issues relating to the acceding countries' given on 2 February, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa of the ECB said a smooth participation in ERM II will require that the overall policies of participating Member States are consistent and…
Kohler on adoption of the euro in Central Europe
In a speech on 'The Euro - Towards Adopting the Common Currency in Central Europe' given on 2 February, Horst Kohler of the IMF said that imbalances in the global current account remain a risk to economic recovery though a stronger euro and weaker dollar…
Spain has 'very good' candidates to replace Solans
Spain can offer "very good candidates" to replace European Central Bank executive board member Eugenio Domingo Solans when his mandate ends on May 31, said Economy Minister Rodrigo Rato this week.
'The monetary policy of the ECB': 2nd edition
The European Central Bank published the second edition of "The monetary policy of the ECB" on 30 January. The publication aims to provide the public with a comprehensive overview of the ECB's monetary policy and its economic and institutional background.
Solbes warns on rising euro danger
European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes said on Friday 30 January that the continued appreciation of the euro could affect business confidence in the eurozone.
Trichet on challenges for the European economy
In a speech on 'The challenges for the European economy in 2004' given on 29 January, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said it was of the utmost importance that the new Member States countries fulfil the convergence criteria not only nominally but also in…
Trichet on European financial markets integration
In a speech on 'The integration of European financial markets' given on 26 January, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the potential gains from monetary union will only be fully realised if remaining barriers to integration of European financial markets…
Trichet says no need to change growth pact
In a speech on 'Economic reform in Europe' given on 26 January, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the ECB does not see any need for changes to the eurozone's rules on budget deficits, which he described as "appropriate".
ECB's Wellink-Rate moves can't control fx swings
Nout Wellink of the European Central Bank's Governing Council said that interest rate moves were not the way to deal with foreign exchange swings and that the euro's external value was not excessive.