This paper investigates in a consistent semi-structural empirical framework three current issues of monetary policy in the euro area. First, regarding policy transmission we offer a three-stage procedure to combine the efficient estimation of economic structure prior to EMU with current ECB...

European Monetary Union will come into existence in 1999. This raises questions related to the monetary policy targets that will be adopted by the European Central Bank (ECB). For both likely candidates, targeting a money aggregate or an inflation target, the existence of a stable money demand...

This study examines the link between various monetary policy regimes and the ability to manage inflation and exchange rate risk premiums in the EU candidate countries as they undergo monetary convergence to the eurozone. The underlying hypothesis is that a system of 'flexible inflation...

A flexible approach to direct inflation targeting is a viable monetary policy choice for transition economies that is believed to facilitate both the economic transition and the monetary convergence to the euro. Following this assumption, an analytical model investigating the link between the...

Contents: 1. Forum Economique Franco-Allemand - Deutsch-Französisches Wirtschaftspolitisches Forum...1 -- 2. Opening Address, Klaus Bünger...2 -- 3. EMU and Transatlantic Exchange-Rate Stability - Agnès Bénassy-Quéré and Benoît Mojon...5 -- 4. What Exchange Rate Policy in EMU? - Manfred...

Contents: 1. Das Deutsch-Französische Wirtschaftspolitische Forum...1 -- 2. Opening Address, Dominique Strauss-Kahn...2 -- 3. Does EMU Need an Employment Pact? - Klaus-Werner Schatz, Institute of World Economics, Kiel...3 -- 4. Is the Stability Pact an Efficient Agreement? - Patrick Artus,...

The Eurosystem is the fifth decentralized system in the history of central banks. It consists of the European Central Bank (ECB) and twelve National Central Banks (NCBs) forming the European Monetary Union (EMU). The stark decentrality of this System is so little known that ubiquitous statements...