EU finance ministers could be wanning up to the idea of introducing tax measures to discourage greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft, it has emerged. After the group of the world's seven richest countries (G7) earlier this month discussed finding money for development aid by taxing aviation, while at the same time fighting climate change, the EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council aired the idea during its 16-17 February meeting in Brussels. Signals from the gathering appeared to be summed up by earlier comments from Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, current holder of the EU Council presidency, that the bloc's finance ministers were open to the idea of introducing tax measures but cautious not to jeopardise European industry's competitive position. The Ecofin Council decided to await the results of further studies to see whether the expected benefits of tax moves would be commensurate with their costs.
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