They promise to take action, if needed, "to safeguard financial stability in the euro area as a whole."

VOA: special.2010.02.12

Even in countries outside the euro area, like Hungary and Poland, businesses and individuals often borrowed in euros.

VOA: special.2009.03.06

"The lower the euro is, the more competitive these economies become and,therefore, the more the fiscal concerns are going to be reduced."

VOA: special.2010.05.07

But less trust in the euro has reduced its value to the lowest levels in over a year.

VOA: special.2010.05.07

Worries over Greek debt have pushed the euro to its lowest value in months against the dollar.

VOA: special.2010.02.12

And both had to pay far higher rates than Germany, the safest investment in the euro area.

VOA: special.2010.05.07

European countries later had to agree to a nearly one trillion dollar rescue for the euro area.

VOA: special.2010.06.25

"Europe has to provide, the euro zone has to provide, a comprehensive solution to this problem.

VOA: special.2010.12.24

Sixteen of the twenty-seven nations in the European Union use the euro as their currency.

VOA: special.2010.02.12

It involves loans, debt guarantees and other support to euro area countries with heavy debts.

VOA: special.2010.05.14

It is a threat to financial stability of the euro area and the European Union."

VOA: special.2010.05.14

Nations in the euro area share a common currency, but not a common financial policy.

VOA: special.2010.02.12

But its deficit is around four times the level permitted by the euro group.

VOA: special.2010.02.12

"This has clearly been a systemic challenge for financial stability in the euro area.

VOA: special.2010.05.14

The euro is eleven years old and used as the currency of sixteen countries.

VOA: special.2010.05.07

Euro-area nations have set up a bailout fund of about one trillion dollars.

VOA: special.2010.12.31

Lower interest rates made euro loans a good deal at the time.

VOA: special.2009.03.06

Greece represents less than three percent of the euro area economy.

VOA: special.2010.02.12

Sebastien Galy says growth expectations for the euro area have dropped.

VOA: special.2010.05.07

But he says the falling euro should help ease the crisis.

VOA: special.2010.05.07

While the euro has fallen, the dollar has gained value.

VOA: special.2010.05.07