Eurozone
ECB's Trichet on the eurozone economy
In testimony to the European Parliament given on 20 December Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB warned that eurozone inflation could rise and hover around 2 pct in both 2007 and 2008.
ECB Research Bulletin, December 2006
The European Central Bank launched a new regular publication on 20 December: the Research Bulletin. The edition includes an article on central bank communication by Michael Ehrmann.
Sharp FX moves not in global interest - Trichet
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said on Wednesday 20 December that sharp and abrupt moves in currencies would not be in the interests of Europe, the US or the global economy.
ECB report on accounting standards
The European Central Bank (ECB) on 19 December published a report entitled "Assessment of accounting standards from a financial stability perspective" prepared by the ESCB Banking Supervision Committee.
Deutsche Bundesbank Monthly Report, November 2006
The Deutsche Bundesbank published the English version of its November 2006 Monthly Report on Thursday 14 December. The report said euro- zone interest rates are still very low and inflation risks persist despite a recent drop in the inflation rate.
Trichet on defensive over ECB political attacks
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet defended the ECB against attacks by French politicians in an interview published Monday 18 December, saying that it has a mandate from governments and voters which guarantees its independence from…
ECB's Stark says eurozone rates still low
European Central Bank (ECB) Chief Economist Juergen Stark said Thursday 14 December the bank's interest rate policy is still accommodative and noted that levels are low.
Buba's Weber says ECB won't bow to rate pressure
The European Central Bank will definitely not put off possible further rises in interest rates to avoid potential clashes with eurozone politicians, Bundesbank President Axel Weber said Friday 15 December in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine…
ECB Monthly Bulletin, December 2006
The European Central Bank published its December 2006 Monthly Bulletin on Thursday 14 December. In the report the ECB said it will act decisively if necessary to keep inflation pressures in check.
Papademos on the ECB's Financial Stability Review
In opening remarks to the ECB's Financial Stability Review press conference given on 11 December Lucas Papademos of the ECB said robust growth of credit to the euro area private sector could pose an upside risk to price stability.
ECB's Financial Stability Review, December 2006
The European Central Bank published its December 2006 Financial Stability Review on 11 December. In the report the ECB said the euro area financial system has proven resilient to adverse disturbances.
Side effects for ECB transparency
This article from the Financial Times, published Monday 11 December, says that a mixture of good luck and good judgment has made this a good year for the ECB.
Villepin wants clarification of ECB role
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called on Monday 12 December to "clarify the roles" of European Central Bank (ECB), amid talk regarding the recent high levels of the euro.
Papademos on the global importance of the euro
In the speech 'The global importance of the euro' given on 17 November Lucas Papademos of the ECB said the share of the euro in global official foreign exchange reserves increased during the first few years following its introduction, but has remained…
Optimal currency shares in international reserves
The ECB Working Paper "Optimal currency shares in international reserves: the impact of the euro and the prospects for the dollar" says that foreign exchange reserve accumulation has risen dramatically in recent years.
NBP's Balcerowicz against euro referendum
The head of Poland's central bank Leszek Balcerowicz told a seminar on Thursday 7 December that a referendum on Poland joining the eurozone is unnecessary.
ECB raises interest rates to 3.5%
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Thursday 7 December it was essential to act in a "firm and timely manner" to safeguard price stability in the eurozone,after the bank raised interest rates from 3.25pct to 3.5pct.
Illogical rules make Slovenians feel second-class
This article from the Financial Times, published Wednesday 6 December, asks whether Slovenia will be a second-class member of the eurozone with restrictions on the movement of labour from the small state.
ECB's Gonzalez-Paramo on the ageing problem
In the speech 'The ageing problem: its impact on financial markets and possible policy responses' given on 1 December Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo of the ECB said the ECB has repeatedly called on governments to implement comprehensive reforms in public…
Tumpel-Gugerell on financial integration
In the speech 'Financial integration and stability in Europe' given on 1 December Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said effective and efficient banking supervision is essential, both to promote financial integration and to safeguard financial…
ECB issues warning to euro hopefuls
Some of the new members of the European Union lining up to adopt the euro will likely have to wait until the end of the decade, the European Central Bank said Tuesday 5 December.
ECB's Papademos on monetary policy
In the speech 'Monetary policy in a changing world: Commitment, strategy and credibility' given on 1 December Lucas Papademos of the ECB said that the ECB's policy for fighting inflation had been proven successful in the period since Europe adopted a…
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on TARGET2-Securities
In the speech 'TARGET2-Securities: from vision to reality. The Eurosystem's contribution to an integrated securities market' given on 30 November Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB invited national central securities depositaries (CSDs) to discuss the…
IMF ups eurozone growth forecast
The IMF's European department director, Michael Deppler, said on 28 November that the Fund has raised its eurozone growth forecast for both this year and next.