European Central Bank keeps interest rates constant

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The European Central Bank (ECB) decided Thursday to keep key interest rates steady.

According to a statement from the Governing Council of ECB, the interest rate on the main refinancing operations was kept at 0.00%.

The interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility also continue to stand at 0.25% and minus 0.40%, respectively.

The bank said: "The Governing Council expects the key ECB interest rates to remain at their present or lower levels at least through the first half of 2020, and in any case for as long as necessary to ensure the continued sustained convergence of inflation to its aim over the medium term."