HispanicBusiness

As the European Central Bank meets Thursday analysts are not expecting it to unveil any new measures, as European leaders face up to a series of key decisions to resolve the region's long-running debt crisis.

ECB chief Mario Draghi is likely to use his monthly press conference to further elaborate on the bank's new government bond-buying programme.

This comes as Draghi waits for Spain to make an official request for aid from the euro rescue funds, which could prompt ECB action to buy Madrid's government debt.

European leaders also have to decide in the coming weeks on a second bailout for cash-strapped Greece.

A growing number of analysts believe that the ECB will keep interest rates on hold at their historic low of 0.75 per cent, amid a sharp downturn across the 17-member eurozone and subdued inflationary pressures.