European finance ministers are increasingly concerned that certain governments are finding it harder to borrow in financial markets as budget deficits mount and economies slump, according to media speculation.
The split between the rates Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal must pay in financial markets to borrow for 10 years and the rate charged to Germany ballooned this year to the widest since before they joined the euro.
Standard & Poor's last month cut the sovereign credit ratings of Portugal, Spain and Greece and reduced the outlook on Ireland's rating to negative from stable.
The recovery of the region's weakest economies is being threatened and doubts are also being raised about the future of the single currency bloc.