European stock markets closed higher on Thursday after the European Central Bank said it was keeping its rates unchanged and vowed to carry on with its asset-purchasing program.

Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 went up 20.27 points or 0.6 percent to settle at 3,409.89. Germany's benchmark index DAX gained 11.08 points or 0.09 percent to end at 11,978.39. French benchmark index CAC 40 went up 21.03 points or 0.42 percent to end at 4,981.51.

On the other hand, UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 lost 19.65 points or 0.27 percent to close at 7,314.96.