The European Central Bank cut interest rates on Thursday and kept the door open to further policy easing as concerns over lacklustre economic growth supersede worries about persistent inflation. Following are highlights of ECB President Christine Lagarde's comments at a news conference after the policy meeting.

Following is the text of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde's statement after the bank's policy meeting on Thursday: Link to statement on ECB website: Good afternoon, the Vice-President and I welcome you to our press conference.

During the press conference, ECB President Christine Lagarde indicated that the central bank's macro assessment had hardly changed from its December meeting. The ECB still sees the disinflationary process on track and expects a pick up in demand, though it acknowledges the near-term weakness of the eurozone economy.

Against this backdrop, the ECB’s communication in the policy statement and President Lagarde’s comments will hold the key to determining the scope and timing of the next rate cuts as the Bank battles concerns over economic growth and potential tariffs by United States (US) President Donald Trump’s administration.

EUR/USD shifted lower for a fourth consecutive trading day on Thursday, peaking near 1.0450 before softening to shed one-fifth of one percent on the day and ending just below the 1.0400 handle as the Euro’s near-term bull run draws to an end. A slate of German economic figures are due early Friday, followed by a key US inflation reading.

Central bank independence is being challenged in parts of the world and greater political influence could undermined banks' ability to keep inflation down, risking economic volatility, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Monday.

The European Central Bank is widely expected to cut interest rates for the fifth time since it began easing monetary policy.

The European Central Bank lowered its interest rates for a fourth policy session in a row on Thursday and is likely to opt for more

The European Central Bank is set to lower interest rates for a fifth meeting as inflation that’s nearing the 2% target lets officials further loosen the shackles on the economy.

On Jan. 30, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to cut its three key interest rates by 25 basis points. This brings the deposit facility rate to 2.75%,

Eurozone rate-setters are set to cut borrowing costs again this week, confident their efforts to lower inflation will remain on track despite the threat from US President Donald Trump's protectionist agenda.

Despite US President Donald Trump's sabre-rattling, the European Central Bank is set to press on with interest rate cuts Thursday as officials increasingly voice confidence that the fight against inflation is on track.