By BridgeNews Berlin--Jan. 5--European Central Bank interest rates should remain unchanged through 2001 due to continued low inflation and long-term capital market rates, Norbert Walter, Deutsche Bank chief economist, said in a newspaper interview. The ECB's 4.75% refi-rate "is right for a situation where inflation has not yet dropped below the 2% line again. Long-term rates in Europe are very low and fit the current economic trend," Walter told the Berlin newspaper Tagespiegel. "4.75% is right for 2001," he said. Rate reductions this week by the Fed "demonstrate the Americans are prepared to act. The chances are good that the global economy will gain momentum following a short pause." The Fed Wednesday cut its key federal funds rate 50 basis points to 6.00% and, in two moves completed Thursday, lowered the discount rate to 5.50% from 6.00%. The reductions will "in principle" boost German share prices but investors in Germany should not expect prices to shoot up, as was the case in the U.S. following Wednesday's surprise rate reductions, Walter said. "The (German) shares market still faces some cold days," Walter said. End