Brussels, 08/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - At his press conference on Wednesday (see next article), European Commissioner Pedro Solbes was questioned about the potential consequences of the rise in price for oil. He admitted that he was "without a doubt concerned" at this development, given that the current prices were different to those taken on board in the economic forecasts, which "could have an effect not only on the inflation rate, but also on the growth" of the European economy. According to him, "one has to be aware that there may be corrections (in relation to the autumn forecasts: Ed.) for inflation, as well as for growth". He nevertheless stipulated that he believed that the current level of the price of a barrel - $34/35 - was "more of a peak than a stable price", which does not prevent the Commission from "following developments closely", given that it is a question of "fundamental questions in terms of following the EU's economic situation". Regarding the exchange rate of the euro in relation to the dollar, he recognised that the situation in oil prices influenced its level in terms of inflationary pressures, admitting that the DM-dollar relationship was today the same as in 1994. But, he added, the ECB is in control of the situation which, although negative inflation-wise, remains positive at commercially-speaking.