International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Rodrigo Rato said there is no reason for the European Central Bank to cut interest rates right now, but it should do so if euro zone growth weakens further. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Rato also said monetary policy in the euro zone since 1999 has not posed a barrier to growth in the region. "There is no reason to do that at the moment," he said, referring to the reporter's comment that the ECB is under pressure to cut interest rates further given the euro zone's weak growth. "The monetary policy in the euro zone is appropriate," he added. "We do not expect right now a further weakening of growth. But nevertheless if it that happens, a cut in interest rate could be helpful," he said. "The guardians of the European currency must be vigilant. That is also true when it comes to negligence of risks caused by investors who are searching for higher margins," he said. Rato said the political integration of Europe is taking shape through various forms, with the the euro itself a symbol of political cohesion. "The task of national currencies also has a political significance," he said. He said he does not believe the European Monetary Union would break. "The euro has brought about many advantages. Europe now has a stable world currency and financial crises no longer exist like before. "Inflation is low and the long-term interest rates are right now at an extraordinarily low level. One thing is sure: the monetary policy since 1999 was not a barrier to growth," he said.