BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A senior politician has downplayed speculation that Romania is planning to adopt the euro as its currency by 2022, saying further evaluation work is required before any decision is made.

Liviu Dragnea, chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party said Tuesday that the government had not had a "serious analysis" about adopting the euro. His comments follow a suggestion last week from Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu that Romania could start using Europe's single currency by 2022.

Dragnea said a study needed to be conducted involving the central bank, the government and parliament, before any decision on replacing the leu with the euro is made.

Romania has one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union.