ECON Committee: Eurozone has come far, but strong Banking Union still needed, Draghi tells MEPs

03 March 2014

Failing banks still need a "strong and swift" EU decision-making system, and the ECB supervisor alone should decide when they are in danger of becoming unviable, Draghi told the ECON Committee.

The EU economy is now a “half full glass”, but it is “still too early to claim ‘mission accomplished’”, he added.

Opening his last meeting with the committee before the European elections, Mr Draghi reiterated the many steps taken in the past five years to tackle the crisis. The euro is now in a better position than in 2009, but further steps are urgently needed to complete the Banking Union and put it into effect, he said.

MEPs’ questions centred on the forthcoming bank resolution system, ECB tools that can be devised or continued to help the real economy and particularly small firms and the next steps for the ECB/EU Commission/IMF “Troika” crisis rescue structure. 

Mr Draghi also fielded questions on the upcoming bank stress tests to be run by the ECB, his role as Chair of the European Systemic Risk Board, and how best to remedy the negative effects of the eurozone's very low inflation.

Press release

Draghi's introductory statement

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