It is a great pleasure to return to this Committee for the first time since the European elections. I very much look forward to my exchanges with all of you, new and not-so-new members, over the course of this parliamentary term. First, let me congratulate each of you on your election to this Parliament. Europe faces significant challenges, and critical decisions will need to be taken over the next five years. Your work will be crucial in guiding us forward. As Members of the European Parliament, you play an essential role in channelling citizens’ questions and concerns about the ECB’s policies. I am committed to maintaining an open dialogue with you, building on the positive and constructive relationship between our two institutions. By working together, we can fulfil our joint accountability obligations under the Treaty and build trust in the ECB. post: ECB'S LAGARDE: **LOOKING AHEAD, THE SUPPRESSED LEVEL OF SOME SURVEY INDICATORS SUGGESTS THAT THE RECOVERY IS FACING HEADWINDS **WE EXPECT THE RECOVERY TO STRENGTHEN OVER TIME, **THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINS RESILIENT **EMPLOYMENT GROWTH SLOWED TO JUST 0.2% IN THE SECOND…