U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble have informally discussed ways to address the euro zone financial crisis.

The U.S. Treasury Department said on Monday that the two ministers discussed the need for international cooperation and coordination to continuously strengthen capital bases, reduce global macroeconomic imbalances and recover economic growth.

The statement added that the two officials also expressed confidence over the euro zone nations' efforts toward uniting Europe.

The informal meeting was held when Geithner visited the German North Sea island of Sylt where the German minister was on vacation.