Stock indices traded lower despite the rise in stock markets in Asia. Chinese stock markets increased on speculation the government will add further stimulus measures.

The uncertainty over the Fed's interest rate hike weighs on markets.

European Central Bank (ECB) Executive Board Member Benoit Coeure said in an interview with CNBC on Monday that it is too early to decide if to expand the asset-buying programme or not.

"If anything were needed, we would need to be ready. But it is too early to pass that kind of judgement," he said.

Coeure noted that the economy was recovering but there are risks from the slowdown in the emerging economies.

The ECB President Mario Draghi said in an interview with the Greek newspaper Kathimerini published on Saturday that the central bank's asset-buying programme is working better than expected but reaching the 2% inflation may take more time due to lower oil prices.

The Bank of France released its current account data on Monday. France's current account surplus was €0.2 billion in August, up from a deficit of €0.4 billion in July.

The trade goods deficit widened to €1.1 billion in August from €0.9 billion in July.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,377.94 -38.22 -0.60 %

DAX 10,085.37 -11.23 -0.11 %

CAC 40 4,665.54 -35.85 -0.76 %