ISTANBUL

Minutes from the latest monetary policy meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) showed Thursday that the bank's Governing Council members believe the current policy stance provides enough flexibility to respond to potential interest rate shocks, even as geopolitical tensions intensify.

The minutes of the ECB Governing Council’s meeting held this week in Frankfurt indicate that policymakers assessed the bank’s current interest rate levels as sufficiently restrictive while retaining the capacity to react to external shocks, including geopolitical risks.

According to the document, members acknowledged that heightened uncertainty stemming from global trade policies and geopolitical tensions could weigh on the economic outlook in the coming months.

"Such uncertainty could also justify keeping interest rates unchanged to see how various risks developed over the coming months. In particular, the current level of policy rates provided sufficient flexibility to act in response to shocks, in view of the two-sided inflation risks and taking into account a broad range of possible scenarios," it said.

The document emphasized that the Governing Council stands ready to respond to possible shocks and that all policy options will remain on the table for upcoming meetings.

The discussion also highlighted that geopolitical developments, including rising tensions in the Middle East, have increased the risk of volatility in energy prices and financial markets—factors that could influence inflation dynamics across the eurozone.

ECB policymakers reiterated that decisions will remain data-dependent and will be taken on a meeting-by-meeting basis, without committing to a predetermined rate path.

Since June 2024, the ECB has lowered its deposit facility rate eight times as inflation pressures eased across the eurozone. However, the central bank has paused its easing cycle in recent meetings as policymakers assess the impact of previous cuts and monitor inflation developments.

Eurozone inflation has moderated significantly from its 2022 peak but remains sensitive to energy price movements and supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions.

The ECB’s deposit facility rate currently stands at 2% following the series of rate cuts implemented over the past year. Policymakers continue to signal caution, stressing that the fight against inflation is not yet fully complete and that maintaining credibility in price stability remains the bank’s primary objective.