Eurozone
Europe's unstable currency union?
John Nugee writes on how a "one size fits all" interest rate policy in the Eurozone can exacerbate divergence between economies.
Comment: A controversial Central Banking feature
About two weeks after its publication, the current issue of Central Banking has suddenly been receiving wall-to-wall coverage in some sections of the UK media. But what was intended as a sober, objective and balanced appraisal of some of the problems of…
One size fits none
As the German economy stalls, should the ECB shift its policy focus from the eurozone as a whole? By Henrik Enderlein.
Buba report says weak growth in EU 'real' problem
The Bundesbank published its August monthly report on Monday 15 August, saying that weak economic growth in the EU is responsible for feelings of discontent with eurozone economic growth.
Interview with ECB's Issing
In an interview published on Tuesday 9 August, ECB Chief Economist Otmar Issing said that recently the eurozone economy has seen a series of positive signals. However risks to the outlook remained on the downside, he said, particularly with the continued…
ECB Monthly Bulletin, August 2005
The European Central Bank published its August 2005 Monthly Bulletin on Thursday 11 August. The euro zone economy is on track for gradual expansion without pressing inflationary problems, the report said.
Shadow on the Euro
An article published this week notes that five months after central banks talked of increasing their euro reserves at the expense of the dollar, the speculation now is about how long the euro will last. With its credibility in danger the article asks…
IMF letter on prospects for ECB rate cut
In a letter published by the Financial Times on Tuesday 9 August, Michael Deppler of the IMF said international developments suggest that the worst may be over on growth in the eurozone but point to further upward pressure on headline inflation because…
ECB's Issing sees positive signals on economy
European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing said in an interview there have been a series of positive signals on the economy, but said high oil price could curb growth.
The future of EMU: one size fits none?
According to the forthcoming edition of Central Banking, inflation and output gap differentials have grown between European states since the inception of the EMU in 1999. If these continue to worsen, the resulting tensions would put a big strain on…
IMF says ECB should be ready to cut rates
The International Monetary Fund published a report on Wednesday 3 August urging the European Central Bank to stand ready to cut interest rates.
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.
IMF's Rato says don't rule out ECB rate cut
The head of the International Monetary Fund has said a rate cut in the Eurozone cannot be ruled out if the EU economy weakens.
The Maastricht inflation criterion
According to the ECB Working Paper "The Maastricht inflation criterion: How unpleasant is purgatory?" the Maastricht inflation criterion, designed in the early 1990s to bring "high-inflation" EU countries in line with "low-inflation" countries prior to…
Trichet's statement to EP on ECB's Annual Report
In a statement to the European Parliament on the ECB's Annual Report 2003 on Monday 25 October, Jean-Claude Trichet said the eurozone economy was likely to continue growing at its current pace, but noted that high oil prices could dampen the speed of the…
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.
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.
Polish national bank urges fast euro entry
The National Bank of Poland has said Poland and other recent entrants to the European Union would be well advised to join the eurozone without delay.
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.
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.
ECB's Wellink: Interest rates low enough
European Central Bank Governing Council Member Nout Wellink said on Thursday 23 October that interest rates are low enough to support economic recovery in the eurozone, according to Reuters.
Duisenberg optimistic for eurozone economy
Outgoing European Central Bank President Wim Duisenberg said on Thursday 23 October that he was "fairly optimistic" regarding the outlook for eurozone growth, according to AFP Things are going in the right direction, albeit slowly. I think that in Europe…
Crunch meeting for Caruana - Special Feature
CentralBanknet's Monday special feature focuses on the Basel Committee's current crunch meeting in Madrid and the key issues for Jamie Caruana's chairmanship.
Europe should do more - Snow
John Snow, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, took aim at European policymakers, urging finance ministers and central bankers to do more to boost economic growth. Mr. Snow demanded "more accommodative" interest rates and budgets. His spokesman, Rob Nichols,…