By Johanna Treeck

FRANKFURT (MNI) - European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet today sounded more optimistic than expected given troubles in Greece and the recent string of weak economic data.

But the ECB decisions he announced highlight that the central bank has no intention to withdraw a significant amount of stimulus any time soon.

By Johanna Treeck

FRANKFURT (MNI)- The European Central Bank on Thursday should announce only minor changes in its liquidity framework as the disconcerting situation in Greece, an uncertain recovery and a renewed drop in lending call for a very cautious exit from unconventional support measures.

The central bank might even cushion the withdrawal of liquidity support by broadening the collateral pool available to banks and thus send a reassuring signal to those banks still dependent on ECB cash, sources told Market News International (MNI).

By Johanna Treeck

FRANKFURT (MNI)- The European Central Bank on Thursday should announce only minor changes in its liquidity framework as the disconcerting situation in Greece, an uncertain recovery and a renewed drop in lending call for a very cautious exit from unconventional support measures.

The central bank might even cushion the withdrawal of liquidity support by broadening the collateral pool available to banks and thus send a reassuring signal to those banks still dependent on ECB cash, sources told Market News International (MNI).

By Johanna Treeck

FRANKFURT (MNI) - European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet Thursday confirmed that interest rates are firmly on hold, while offering no new guidance about further steps to phase out extra liquidity support.

In his monthly press conference, Trichet rejected financial support for Greece in more absolute terms than some eurozone politicians. At the same time, the ECB president walked a tightrope, assuring markets of the overall eurozone's fiscal health while urging governments to cut their deficits.

By Johanna Treeck

FRANKFURT (MNI) - European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet Thursday confirmed that interest rates are firmly on hold, while offering no new guidance about further steps to phase out extra liquidity support.

In his monthly press conference, Trichet rejected financial support for Greece in more absolute terms than some eurozone politicians. At the same time, the ECB president walked a tightrope, assuring markets of the overall eurozone's fiscal health while urging governments to cut their deficits.

By Johanna Treeck

FRANKFURT (MNI) - Monetary policy is likely to take a backseat at Thursday's European Central Bank press conference given hints there will be no new announcements until March and all eyes remain on Greece.

Nevertheless, President Jean-Claude Trichet may begin to prepare the stage for the March meeting at which the Governing Council has to announce whether further support measures will be phased out in the second quarter.

By then, the Council will have to determine the conditions for its final six-month tender scheduled at the end of the month.

By Johanna Treeck

FRANKFURT (MNI) - Monetary policy is likely to take a backseat at Thursday's European Central Bank press conference given hints there will be no new announcements until March and all eyes remain on Greece.

Nevertheless, President Jean-Claude Trichet may begin to prepare the stage for the March meeting at which the Governing Council has to announce whether further support measures will be phased out in the second quarter.

By then, the Council will have to determine the conditions for its final six-month tender scheduled at the end of the month.

"Only when [Greece] has done what is in its own power will there be a chance to think about how these efforts can be supported." (ECB Governing Council member Axel Weber)

By Johanna Treeck

FRANKFURT (MNI) - Mounting signs that the eurozone recovery may be losing momentum and fresh concerns over the banking system have not yet pushed further withdrawal of emergency liquidity measures off the European Central Bank's near-term agenda.