Geithner, Moscovici discuss eurozone

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and his French counterpart Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici discussed the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and efforts to spur recovery in the single-currency area.

"They discussed Europe's ongoing efforts to ensure financial stability, foster greater economic integration and promote the recovery of the eurozone," the US Treasury said in a brief statement.

Geithner, who was in Europe for talks with German and European officials, earlier issued a joint statement with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble that urged co-operation in the fight against the eurozone debt crisis.

The two top finance officials expressed "confidence" the eurozone could carry out the reforms needed to escape the more than two-year-old debt crisis.

They emphasized "the need for ongoing international cooperation and coordination to achieve sustainable public finances, reduce global macroeconomic imbalances and restore growth," said the statement, issued after their meeting on the northern German island of Sylt.

Geithner was later to meet European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, who last week touched off speculation the bank would resume its disputed bond-buying program by vowing to do "whatever it takes" to preserve the euro.

No news conference was planned after their closed-door meeting in Frankfurt.

vs/arb