The U.S. idea of recouping the costs of the financial bailout by taxing banks is the right one, the chairman of euro zone finance ministers said on Friday, but it would be difficult to copy in the European Union.

Jean-Claude Juncker, who is also Luxembourg's prime minister, told a news briefing that the idea would be discussed at a meeting of euro zone finance ministers on Monday.

(President Barack) Obama without a doubt is right to propose these measures. We have to see now in Europe ... whether we proceed in the same way, he said.

I have no preconceived idea but I would find it difficult to adopt a common approach as tax matters are decided on a national level, he said. We will exchange views on this Monday evening.

Obama on Thursday proposed that Wall Street banks pay up to $117 billion via a levy on assets in order to reimburse taxpayers for the financial bailout, and criticized bankers for their massive profits and obscene bonuses.

(Reporting by Michele Sinner, writing by Jan Strupczewski, editing by Luke Baker)

European union