Eurozone states must cut their deficits to win the confidence of financial markets, which remain sceptical about the currency area’s fiscal health, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has stated.

“We haven’t really convinced the markets yet, as we have seen the euro falling further. That means we must reduce deficits in all eurozone member states,” Schaeuble told Deutschlandfunk radio.

Asked about remarks by Deutsche Bank Chief Executive Josef Ackermann that cast doubt on Greece’s ability to repay its debt, Schaeuble said: “I’m not sure that was the wisest comment to make.”

“Of course we expect every country to pay back its debts. So far Greece has also paid back every debt,” he added.

Schaeuble said Germany would only introduce a financial transaction tax if it could be agreed globally and the chances of that happening were slim.

“If it can be agreed globally, then we can do it but whether there can be a global agreement … we will see at the G20 summit of government leaders in June in Canada,” he said. “The chances of there being such an agreement are very slim.”

Instead, Germany is pushing for the introduction of a bank levy.

Asked whether his recent health troubles had led him to consider resigning, Schaeuble said: “No.”

“I think I can undertake and bear this responsibility,” he added.

Schaeuble, 67, has used a wheelchair since he was shot and nearly killed by a mentally ill man in 1990.

He has been in and out of hospital several times and recently missed international meetings in Madrid, Washington and Brussels due to healing complications following an operation earlier in the year.