Jean-Claude Juncker, who heads the Eurogroup of finance ministers from the 13-nation eurozone, expressed concern Monday about "excessive volatility" in exchange rates and said the group was keeping a close eye on them.
"We don't like excessive volatility," Juncker said when asked about the euro's fresh records against the dollar, as he arrived to chair a meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels. "We are playing close attention to recent developments," he said. On the other key threat to eurozone growth, he said: "It would be good for economic development in the eurozone if oil prices could be stabilised."
During their talks, the ministers from the 13-nation Eurogroup were expected to size up looming threats to growth, as evidence mounts that the record strength of the euro and oil prices are weighing on the economy.