The euro rose to US$1.4967 in Monday trading, just shy of a 14-month high of US$1.4967 hit last week, as investors expected strong earnings news from U.S. companies this week - which could see them shift funds from safe-haven dollar investments to riskier but more profitable stocks.

The weakening dollar has raised concerns in U.S. trading partners because it makes it harder for them to sell goods in the U.S., the world's biggest economy, and to Asian economies pegged to the dollar. A weak dollar could also undermine fragile recoveries in those countries.

Jean-Claude Trichet, the eurozone's top central banker, said European officials "have a vested interest in a solid and stable currency system."

The ECB president says he and eurozone finance ministers echoed recent comments by U.S. officials on the importance of a strong dollar.

"We very much share that view expressed by the Treasury secretary and we also share the views expressed by (Federal Reserve chairman) Ben Bernanke," Trichet said.

He said Europe did not want to "put into question the seriousness" of U.S. officials' comments. "We trust what they say," he said

He also repeated comments he made earlier this month, saying the main message that eurozone finance ministers and the ECB have is that "excessive volatility and disorderly movements on exchange markets are bad for economic and financial stability."

The strong euro is increasingly a problem for Europe - and Germany, the world's biggest exporter. It makes German cars and French wine more expensive for the euro's main trading partner - Britain - as well as its second major export market, the United States.

Eurozone exports to the rest of the world slid 23 percent in August from a year ago. That was the fastest drop this year as a global recession stilled demand for many goods and services.

Eurozone nations also agreed Monday to make aggressive efforts to pay back mounting public debt when they finally withdraw economic stimulus programs that have supported growth this year.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the Luxembourg prime minister who leads regular talks between eurozone finance ministers, said they "do not think the time is right" to start an exit strategy now.