Measure. The Government Council of the European Central Bank (BCE) decided yesterday to maintain the monetary policy interest at 4.25%, on the background of high inflation and slowing economy emphasized in the euro area, according to Reuters.

"The economy in the euro area indicates a slowing of the pace of development, in the middle of the year, inflation remains high and risks are increasing," reasoned the BCE decision the chairman of the institution, Jean-Claude Trichet. The BCE expects, on the medium term, to keep inflation near the target of 2% determined by the institution.