ECB holds key rates steady

September 06, 2007

The European Central Bank held its key interest rates steady at 4.0 percent on Thursday in a move that analysts said could help calm jitters on the global financial markets. ECB chief Jean-Claude Trichet insisted in a press conference that political pressure from eurozone politicians had no influence on the decision. He also said the bank would be monitoring the money markets closely in light of recent financial market turmoil. Extracts from Trichet's press conference in Frankfurt.