LUXEMBOURG, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The current strength of the euro does not yet cause too much concern, Eurogroup Chairman Jean-Claude Juncker said on Friday, but he added that he may become concerned if the euro continues to rise.
Juncker also told a regular news briefing that he would visit China with European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet and EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia before the end of the year. "I'm not concerned too much by the exchange rate we are observing. But if it continues in the way it started weeks ago, I could become concerned at a certain junction. Don't ask me where that junction is located exactly," Juncker said.
Asked whether the weakness of the dollar and other currencies against the euro would be discussed by euro zone finance ministers and the ECB when they meet on Monday, Juncker said:
"I would suppose that over the course of Monday's meeting we will address the subject with the president of the ECB. We will tell you afterwards whether there is something new to be said ... but I would guess that the poem will stay as the poem was."
Juncker reiterated he did not like excess exchange rate volatility and disorderly movements and said the euro zone was "always very happy" when U.S. authorities reiterated that a strong dollar was in the interest of the U.S. economy.
He said it would be good if markets heard that message.
"The U.S. authorities made it crystal clear and I would be happy to see the markets take into consideration what the U.S. political and monetary authorities are saying in this very context," he said. (Reporting by Michele Sinner, writing by Jan Strupczewski, editing by Dale Hudson)