In my remarks today, I will discuss the monetary policy decisions taken by the ECB in 2018 and their impact on the euro area economy. As stated in the Annual Report, ample monetary stimulus is still necessary for inflation to converge to levels that are below, but close to, 2% over the medium term.
In this context, I will also provide a brief overview of the decisions taken by the ECB’s Governing Council on 7 March this year. I will then discuss key issues on the European financial agenda as we approach the end of this Parliament’s term and the beginning of a new legislative cycle.