FRANKFURT, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Currency manipulation and protectionism are not the right way to improve struggling economies, and the Group of 20 countries sent an important message in stating this, European Central Bank policymaker Jens Weidmann was quoted as saying.

In an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung published on its website, the Bundesbank chief also said the G20 sent a clear message: 'The G20 countries share the opinion that devaluation races know no winners.'

'Also in the future, protectionism and currency manipulation should not be used to fight against the difficult economic situation in some countries. That is an important signal,' he said, according to the transcript published by the Bundesbank.

The 20 nations, responding to feverish debate last week about competitive devaluations between the world's economic powers, said on Saturday there would be no currency war - essentially countries competing to weaken their currencies.

Japan's expansive policies, which have driven down the yen, escaped direct criticism in a statement thrashed out in Moscow by G20 policymakers.

(Reporting by Sakari Suoninen) Keywords: ECB/WEIDMANN

(sakari.suoninen@thomsonreuters.com)(+49 69 7565 1267)(Reuters Messaging: sakari.suoninen.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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