BRUSSELS— The European Union’s executive office today called on the 17 countries in the eurozone to create a “banking union” that can centrally oversee and, if needed, bail out the sector, which has become a weak link in the continent’s financial system.

Bank failures have already overwhelmed the public finances of Ireland, forcing it to take an international bailout, and some fear Spain could be next. The European Commission, while recommending that Spain be given an extra year to meet its deficit targets, suggested that regulation of the entire eurozone banking sector be done centrally.

In its recommendations on how to deal with the financial crisis which has pushed the shared single currency to the brink, the Commission said it wants to boost cross-border management of banks, which are currently overseen by a patchwork of national regulators with different rules.

EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the ESM should be better able to help out troubled banks across national borders if need be.

European leaders will consider the Commission’s recommendations before making a ruling at a summit in June.