Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank (ECB) addresses the media during his monthly news conference at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt, January 15, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
The 2 percent matches the lowest rate since the ECB took charge of monetary policy in 1999.
ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet said in December that the bank was focused on making sure reductions flow through to the economy. It wants to avoid being "trapped" with rates that are "too low."
The ECB reduced its benchmark by 175 basis points in early October to fight recession caused by the world financial crisis.
Trichet will hold a press conference at 2:30 on Thursday to explain the reasons for the rate cut.
(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2009) |