FRANKFURT (AFX) - European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing asserted the economic recovery in the euro zone has already started, but the strength and duration of the upturn remain uncertain. Speaking in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Issing also cautioned that the public discussion in Germany over whether the euro has led to price hikes "borders on hysteria". Issing made clear that if there had been a pronounced increase in prices as a result of the euro changeover then the ECB would have been the first the raise its voice. He also said that despite the recent high wage settlements achieved by the German IG Metall union, there is no sign of a "inflation mentality" emerging. However, Issing accused German unions of ignoring the situation on the German labour market by pushing for high settlements, and as a result, "jobs will be destroyed". One the recovery, Issing said first quarter growth and other data in the euro zone has convinced the ECB that the recovery has already kicked in. In the first quarter euro zone GDP had risen 0.2 pct from the fourth quarter last year. "For the moment the strength and duration of the recovery remain uncertain," he added.