Inflation pressures remain subdued - Draghi

Key highlights from the introductory statement by Mario Draghi, President of the ECB, following the meeting of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank on 9 March 2017:

• Interest rates to remain at present or lower levels for an extended period of time
• We'll continue to make purchases under the QE program at €80bln until the end of this month
• The cyclical recovery may be gaining momentum
• Inflation pressures remain subdued
• A very substantial monetary accommodation is still needed
• We stand ready to increase our asset purchase program in terms of size or duration