The euro has fallen to a four-year low against the dollar, after being hit by renewed fears over the strength of the eurozone economy.

受对欧元区经济实力的新一轮担忧的影响，欧元对美元汇率降至近四年以来最低点。

The euro is again falling on the world\'s currency exchanges

The euro fell to $1.2237, while one pound was worth 1.1702 euros.

Despite the huge sums of money pledged in support for eurozone countries, severe austerity measures（紧缩措施） are needed to cut budget deficits¹（预算赤字） and debt.

This is affecting the value of the euro as analysts² worry the cuts will hold back economic growth（经济增长） in the eurozone.

John Kyriakopoulos, from the National Australia Bank in Sydney, said: "Concerns that severe fiscal³（会计的，财政的） austerity in the eurozone will crush growth in the region continues to weigh (on the euro)."

Earlier this month, the European Union and International Monetary⁴ Fund agreed a package worth 750bn euros to try to prevent the Greek crisis from spreading to other weak eurozone economies.

But despite the initial euphoria（欣快，兴高采烈） that greeted that announcement, fears have returned and shares and the euro have begun falling again.

On Friday, there were sharp falls in European stock markets, with Spain's stock market dropping 6.6% and France main share index down 4.6%.