EU plans to streamline but not change key budget rules

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission wants to streamline the European Union's complex rules governing economic policy-making, but won't change the two key laws that sharpened budget policy control during the debt crisis, a top official responsible for the euro zone said.

German Bonds in Longest Winning Run Since 2012 on Haven Demand

German 10-year government bonds rose for a fifth week, the longest run since the height of the euro-region’s debt crisis, as geopolitical tensions prompted a surge in demand for the safest fixed-income securities.

Euro-Area Bonds Drop as German CPI Data Quells Deflation Concern

Euro-area government bonds fell, with most securities paring a weekly gain, as reports showing German inflation quickened more than economists forecast allayed concern the euro bloc may slip into deflation.

Draghi Gets Ready to Go Negative as Inflation Sinks

Mario Draghi is preparing to lead the European Central Bank into the unknown. From negative interest rates to conditional liquidity for banks, the ECB president and his fellow policy makers have signaled all options are up for discussion when they meet on June 5.

Euro-Area Economic Confidence Increases More Than Expected

Euro-area economic confidence increased more than analysts forecast in March, easing pressure on the European Central Bank to take action next week to counter low inflation and spur growth.

Euro-Area March Consumer Confidence Increases More Than Forecast

Euro-area consumer confidence increased more than economists forecast in March, adding to signs that the currency bloc’s recovery is gaining traction.

Irish Bonds Rise, Yields Drop to Record in Market Return

Ireland’s 10-year yield fell to a record as the nation auctioned government bonds for the first time since 2010, the latest sign the euro region’s financial woes are abating.

Euro zone inflation stabilizes in 'danger zone'

(Reuters) - Euro zone inflation stabilized in the European Central Bank's "danger zone" in February but did not fall as expected, making it less likely the ECB will loosen monetary policy further at its monthly meeting next week.

Euro Area Seen Improving While Trailing U.S.-China Growth

The euro-area economy will continue to lag behind its main competitors, the U.S. and China, this year and next as high levels of unemployment and debt hinder the currency bloc’s recovery.

Eurozone brushes with normal as investors return

PARIS: The Eurozone may be finally returning to some semblance of normality after years of debt crisis that brought fear to the world.

Italian, Spanish bond yields rise on talk local banks may sell

LONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Spanish and Italian bond yields rose on Monday amid speculation that banks in both countries may reduce their holdings before the European Central Bank reviews their balance sheets next year.

Euro coins a hit with Latvians ahead of eurozone entry

Riga (AFP) - Latvians queued up Tuesday to be among the first to get their hands on the euro coins that will replace the Baltic state's lats currency on January 1.

Euro zone suffers from integration fatigue

BRUSSELS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The euro zone is suffering from integration fatigue and banking union might be the last big push for the foreseeable future, officials in the currency bloc say.

Merkel Rejects Joint Euro Debt, Promises to Stay Hard Course

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told supporters she’ll stand as a bulwark against joint debt in the euro area if she’s re-elected in four days and continue to extract conditions from indebted nations.

Greece eyes fresh aid, but wary of more austerity

Stuck in its debt crisis but confident of progress made after two major bailouts, recession-mired Greece is unsure of what an inevitable third package will look like.

Portugal raises $1.34 billion amid recovery hopes

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal raised 1 billion euros ($1.34 billion) in an auction of short-term debt Wednesday amid signs the country's deep recession has bottomed out, though investors remain wary of the political and economic risks of planned new austerity measures.

Rival accuses Germany's Merkel of deceit over euro zone bailouts

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's main opposition leader Peer Steinbrueck accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of covering up the likelihood that German taxpayers will have to fund further euro zone bailouts due to a looming election.

Debt crisis shrinks international use of euro

FRANKFURT, GERMANY: International use of the euro slipped last year because of the debt crisis in Europe, but the US dollar held its own as the world's leading currency for reserves held by central banks.

Euro-Zone Employment Falls to Lowest Level in 7 Years

A sharp fall in the number of people in work in the euro zone in the first quarter left employment at its lowest level in more than seven years, official data showed Friday.

Europeans disillusioned and divided by debt crisis, survey finds

Public support for the European project has fallen and distrust between countries is growing, according to a new survey released overnight that shows the damage caused by the region's debt crisis over the last few years.