I would go as far as to say that this is a defining time for the region, as we seek to grapple with both external and domestic challenges of a very complex nature. There is also a great desire among our people for information and knowledge on the events that affect our lives at this time, and into the near and distant future.
The ECB and the European Parliament have increased the intensity and focus of their exchanges.2 All this has provided us with more opportunities to explain our decisions and demonstrate how the ECB is acting in accordance with its mandate, which is a fundamental pillar of its legitimacy. The crisis has offered many lessons beyond monetary policy, too.