Economic prospects brighten even as ECB is set to start bond buying

Frankfurt

THE euro area economy has taken a step in the right direction.

While improving conditions over the past month won't change ECB president Mario Draghi's plan to start buying government bonds within days, continued economic recuperation may well stir a debate about when to end them.

So far, officials have indicated the buying spree could be extended beyond its proposed timetable - a less likely outcome if an easing in the region's price slump and a drop in unemployment mark the beginning of a trend.

Mr Draghi will have an opportunity in two days to add to details of the 1.1 trillion euro (S$1.7 trillion) quantitative easing plan, announced in January amid dissent from some policy makers. After a…