Brussels, 28/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published on Monday, the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME) declared that a rise in interest rates in the Euro-zone could damage the economic recovery. Hans-Werner Müller, Secretary General for the organisation, said that despite persisting risks, “A further increment in interest rates does not seem appropriate against this background”. He was particularly concerned about financing conditions and domestic demand. Müller added that while markets were expecting a hike in rates at the next meeting of the European Central Bank on Thursday 7 December, “We do not see the reasons for another hike, with oil prices and inflation going downwards and wage increases not exceeding the growth in productivity”. (ab)