Europe
ECB: no requests for Duisenberg to stay
Contrary to some reports the ECB has said it has no knowledge of any official request to Wim Duisenberg for him to stay on as president, according to Reuters.
Extra six months proposed for Duisenberg at ECB
A report by Belga News quoting official sources says Greece, as the current holders of the EU presidency, will propose that ECB president Wim Duisenberg stays on for another six months in office.
CentralBankNet Monday Special Feature
SPECIAL FEATURE - In an exclusive interview with CentralBankNet.com, Professor Fatih Ozatay, the vice-governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, explains how the war in Iraq is affecting the central bank, and what it is doing to mitigate…
ECB April rate move unlikely - Welteke
A rate cut is not on the cards, at the moment at least, said Bundesbank chief Ernst Welteke on Wednesday. With the economic impact of the war still far from certain he said it made no sense to take any sort of action, according to a Reuters report.
ECB on reproduction and exchange of euro notes
New rules on the reproduction and exchange of euro banknotes have been issued by the ECB on 25 March 2003.
ECB's Issing on eurozone growth
In testimony to the European Parliament Otmar Issing of the ECB said eurozone economic growth is expected to be only moderate this year, and inflation is forecast to fall below 2%, although developments continue to be overshadowed by the war in Iraq. He…
Duisenberg may be asked to stay on at ECB
Wim Duisenberg may be asked to stay on as president of the European Central Bank for a further year to prevent France losing face if a French candidate is not available to take up the job, according to a report by Expatica News.
ECB's Issing sees continued euro volatility
Otmar Issing of the ECB said on Tuesday March 25 that continued uncertainty would have an impact on the euro exchange rate, according to an Online report. He also said the euro is a candidate for a strong international role. But that we should not forget…
ECB's Issing downbeat on 'sluggish' euro growth
Speaking to the EU Parliament, the ECB 's chief economist, Otmar Issing observed that economic growth in the eurozone is expected to be 2% for the year, thoough this will put downward pressure on inflation, according to Reuters
Duisenberg to stay on at ECB?
Luxembourg's prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker said on his way to the EU Brussels summit starting on Friday night, March 21,that Wim Duisenberg could stay on, in his view, while uncertainty over his successor remains. Online reported him as saying that…
EC to consider war when evaluating Pact
Romano Prodi has indicated that war in Iraq will be taken into account when the European Commission assesses member countries' deficits under the stability and growth pact, according to a BizWorld report.
ECB's Solans on economic policy
In the speech 'Economic policy: complementary and reinforcing dimensions' Eugenio Domingo Solans of the ECB said more focus should be placed on structural micro-economic reforms that can increase the production potential of the European economy. He…
ECB's Solans: Inflation pressure not a major worry
After cutting interest rates recently to stimulate the sluggish eurozone economy, executive board member Eugenio Domingo Solans has said inflation is not a major concern at the moment and the ECB sees "very modest" growth this yea, according to a Dow…
EU Parliament rejects ECB vote proposal
In a non-binding vote, the European Parliament rejected the ECB's proposal and backed an alternative proposal by MEP Ingo Friedrich for the retention of existing voting rights for all governors and the continuation of decisions by the Governing Board to…
ECB monthly bulletin, March 2003
REPORT - The decision to lower rates by 25 basis points on March 6 reflected easing in price pressures for the medium term due to slow growth and the euro's appreciation, the ECB said in its March monthly bulletin released today.
MEPs reject ECB voting reform proposals
MEPs have rejected the ECB's proposal for reform of the voting arrangements of its Governing Council, according to a euobserver report. The idea was labelled "discriminatory" as it would mean smaller states who join the eurozone would face lengthy…
European banks agree crisis rules
The European Central Bank, according to an article in Business World, said on Monday that a set of rules had been agreed between EU banking regulators and central banks to deal with financial crises. The framework will deal with preventing a financial or…
Bundesbank may opt to sell gold reserves - report
Mr Welteke, president of the Bundesbank, was reported as saying that the Bundesbank may become a party to the upcoming agreement among gold-holding central banks of Europe to sell part of their gold reserves. The new agreement may allow for increased…
Settlement link - HKMA and Clearstream goes live
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said Tuesday a direct link between its transaction settlement system and Europe's Clearstream system has gone live.
Making too much of the 'right' time
LETTER - A reply to the article 'Sweden can thrive without the euro' asks the question, How can countries such as Sweden, Denmark and the UK have a constructive role in Europe unless they fully participate in a Europe-wide economic system.
Economist meeting debates technology growth
Seven thousand economists from around the world examined the impact of globalization and information technology, during a weekend gathering in Washington, concluding that the period 1995 to 2000 saw a likely once only increase in technological gains…
Wim Duisenberg reflects on the euro's 1st birthday
INTERVIEW - It's now been nearly a year since the Jan. 1 introduction of the euro. In an interview with Deutsche Welle Radio on Friday, the president of the European Central Bank takes stock of the euro's success.
ECB chief says euro zone inflation risks falling
Duisenberg's comments on Tuesday, in testimony to the European parliament, seem to strengthen feeling that the ECB will cut interest rates when it meets on Thursday. The futures market seems certain of at least a quarter point cut with a fifty per cent…
French drive for securities regulator
FRANCE - The debate over whether Europe should have a single securities regulator continues as Paris based Eurofi, which has close links with the French government, plans to publish proposals based on a poll of financial services companies.