Gold futures increased essentially above psychologically significant level of USD 1,700 an ounce after the USD declined against Euro on the signs of improving situation in the Euro Zone. On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for February delivery cost USD 1,717.25 a troy ounce during the European morning trading, gaining 1.7%. EUR/USD reached 1.3398 within the European afternoon trade, being the highest level since Thursday.