Brussels, 05/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - Economics and Finance Ministers meeting on Tuesday at the Council were divided over the different options about creating a Euro-Mediterranean Bank. One thing was certain, the possibility of creating a new bank was ruled out by all because of budgetary consequences. Positions vary according to the three other options envisaged: The creation of a EIB subsidiary was supported by the Commission, Italy, Portugal, France and Spain; The United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands preferred the implementation of EIB loan facilities in the region; Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Austria want to limit the expences and want to strengthen the current partnership framework including the bilateral aspects (eight countries are involved: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, the Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey and regional aspects (12 countries benefit from the Meda programme); Greece has taken a half-way house position between the loan facility and the subsidiary. During debates the Spanish Presidency made a commitment to present during the ECOFIN Council, which will be meeting up on the eve of the Barcelona Summit, a proposal that (should see the creation of a EIB facility or subsidiary) will be submitted to Heads of State and governments