BERLIN (MNI) – The German Finance Ministry is optimistic about the
chances of getting an accord among the requisite minimum of nine EU
member states for the introduction of a financial transaction tax,
ministry spokesman Martin Kotthaus said Monday.
Kotthaus, speaking at a regular government press conference here,
noted that before the summer break more than nine countries had shown
interest in such a deal. “We’re quite optimistic,” he said.
Finance Ministers of the EU-27 will discuss the financial
transaction tax at their monthly meeting next week, he said.
Germany and France on Friday officially asked the European
Commission to push ahead with plans for a financial transactions tax.
Italian Finance Minister Vittorio Grilli on Friday said Italy had an
“open position” on the matter.
–Berlin bureau: +49-30-22 62 05 80; email: twidder@marketnews.com
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