Brussels, 02/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - While the Ecofin Council is to discuss additional financing for development next Tuesday through a voluntary contribution from passengers on air tickets, Commissioners Verheugen, Mandelson, Grybauskaite, Kroes, McCreevy among others were generally opposed to this initiative. The document presented by the Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Laszlo Kovacs, on Wednesday, “shows there are economic as well as financial difficulties when it comes to implementation”, the Commission's spokesperson said. Commissioner Kovacs will inform the finance ministers but the Commission's working paper, which had not however raised any difficulties at the level of services, will not be diffused. Given the difficulties of feasibility, the prospect of implementing a contribution to air tickets at the level of the EU seems to be growing further away, but could still see the light of day at the level of some Member States seduced by its non-binding characteristics and moderate cost. Although absent on Wednesday, the Development Commissioner, Louis Michel, is in favour of the principle of such a contribution on air tickets as long as it is voluntary. More generally, “the Commission remains formally and firmly in favour of alternative sources for development financing”, the spokesperson said.