Eurozone
ECB paper on market responses to policy decisions
The ECB Working Paper "Using intraday data to gauge financial market responses to Fed and ECB monetary policy decisions" examines bond and stock market volatility reactions in the euro area and the US following their respective economies' monetary policy…
ECB's Quaden says yen, yuan weak v euro
The Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan are undervalued against the euro, European Central Bank governing council member Guy Quaden said Thursday 15 February.
Malta may apply for euro accession in March
Malta will file its formal request for accession to the eurozone in the first two weeks of March, The Times of Malta reported Wednesday 14 February.
Weber sees inflation around 2 pct to end-2008
Bundesbank president Axel Weber said in an interview published Thursday 15 February he expects eurozone inflation to be around 2.0 pct between now and the end of 2008.
Tumpel-Gugerell on the ECB's view on SEPA
In the speech 'The European Central Bank's view on SEPA' given on 13 February Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said the aim of SEPA is to complete the introduction of the euro as the single currency and to support European integration.
Cyprus makes request to join eurozone, says EU
The European Commission has received an application from Cyprus to join the euro zone, spokeswoman Amelia Torres said Tuesday 13 February.
Trichet warns markets on carry trades risk
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet warned markets this weekend at the G7 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting that one-way bets in currency markets posed risks.
ECSDA calls for postponement on settlement system
The European Central Securities Depositories Association (ECSDA) has called for the European Central Bank to postpone plans to implement an integrated securities settlement system in the euro zone, the Financial Times reported.
Trichet 'inflexibly attached' to ECB independence
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet, told reporters Thursday 8 February he is 'inflexibly attached' to implementing EU Treaty provisions that protect the central bank's independence from political meddling.
ECB's Trichet flags rate increase with 'vigilance'
European Central Bank President Jean- Claude Trichet signalled the ECB will likely raise interest rates next month as the pace of economic growth threatens to stoke inflation.
Germany's Steinbrueck backs ECB's independence
German finance minister Peer Steinbrueck said Wednesday 7 February that the independence of the European Central Bank, which has received criticism from some French politicians, must be respected.
ECB seeks to preserve its independence
This article from the Associated Press, published Tuesday 6 February, looks at the debate over whether countries that use the euro should have an influence on its decision-making process.
NBP's Skrzypek sees 2012-2013 euro adoption
In an interview published in Sunday 4 February's issue of Wprost, National Bank of Poland head Slawomir Skrzypek announced that it will be at least five years before Poland adopts the euro.
ECB rapped by EU privacy regulator over Swift
The EU's data protection supervisor, Peter Hustinx, said Thursday 2 February that it was unacceptable for confidential data to be handed to US authorities and the European Central Bank should do more to control the Swift payment transactions network.
Remarks by the ECB on the oversight of SWIFT
The European Central Bank (ECB) said in a press release Thursday 1 January it would like to note that central banks are responsible for fostering financial stability and promoting the smooth operation of payment and settlement systems.
Stark says ECB policy still accommodative
European Central Bank chief economist Juergen Stark told Boersen-Zeitung in an interview to be published Thursday 1 February that eurozone monetary policy remains accommodative despite the 25 basis point December rate increase.
Germany's Steinbrueck defends 'sacrosanct' ECB
German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck insisted Tuesday 30 January that European Central Bank independence was "sacrosanct" amid calls from some politicians for a more accountable ECB.
ECB's Gonzalez-Paramo on liquidity management
In the speech 'The challenges to liquidity management in the euro area: the perspective of the ECB' given on 25 January Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo of the ECB said we are still investigating the underlying causes for the upward pressure on short-term…
Europe's uneven growth challenge
According to this article on the Project Syndicate website, growth has become less evenly balanced throughout the eurozone with the resurgence in German growth.
ECB policy still accommodating says Bini Smaghi
ECB board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi said Saturday 27 January in a speech in Milan that current eurozone interest rates are still "accommodating" and will continue to be so in the coming months.
ECB's Trichet sees risk of inflation spiral
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told French television there is a risk of an increase in inflation in the eurozone and noted that ECB rates are well below those of the US Fed.
ECB's Stark on policy efforts for 2007
In the speech 'Applause for 2006 should not abate policy efforts for 2007' given on 25 January Jurgen Stark of the ECB warned of inflation risks in the eurozone and reiterated that the central bank will act to preserve price stability.
ECB won't tolerate being a political football
According to this article from Reuters, published Wednesday 24 January, the European Central Bank has mounted its strongest defence so far against recent attacks on its independence from politicians.
ECB's Weber sees upward risks to inflation
Further European Central Bank action is needed to make sure that eurozone price stability remains in check, European Central Bank Governing Council member Axel Weber said Wednesday 24 January.