Luxembourg, 07/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Ecofin Council has confirmed divergences between Member States on new rules for reduced rates of VAT. Germany, Denmark and Sweden are still opposed to extending the list to services benefiting from reduced VAT or extending exception rules (zero rates, super reduced and "parking"). The United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Finland, Luxembourg and Portugal are insisting that these systems are maintained. Commissioner Frits Bolkestein has indicted that the Commission was ready to align transition periods for these systems on those of accession countries. The United Kingdom and Ireland insist on zero rates for clothes and children's shoes and indicate that they would not even agree to getting rid of it after a transition period.