Brussels, 03/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to ease the rules it applies to the acceptance of Greek bonds as loan guarantees. In a press release published after Greece announced its financial and economic multi-annual adjustment programme (see previous article), the ECB explained that its Governing Council decided on Monday 3 May “to suspend the application of the minimum credit rating threshold in the collateral eligibility requirements for the purposes of the Eurosystem's credit operations in the case of marketable debt instruments issued or guaranteed by the Greek government. This suspension will be maintained until further notice. The Governing Council has assessed the programme and considers it to be appropriate. This positive assessment and the strong commitment of the Greek government to fully implement the programme are the basis.” This exceptional measure is a pledge of the ECB's confidence in the Greek adjustment programme and occurs at a time when Greece's long-term debt has been downgraded by Standard and Poor's and Greek bonds ran the risk of no longer meeting ECB requirements. (A.B./transl.fl)