With respect to price developments, according to Eurostat’s flash estimate, annual HICP inflation was 2.5% in June 2006, the same rate as in May and compared with 2.4% in April. During the second half of 2006, and on average in 2007, inflation rates are likely to remain above 2%, the precise levels depending on future energy price developments.
The third solution has to do with how the banking system operates. We initially worked diligently with banks to maintain the availability of financial services despite the quarantine, while ensuring that financial service consumers remain in good health.