07/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - At the Ecofin Council of 6 December, the finance ministers of the EU agreed on a general approach concerning the draft regulation on information to accompany transfers of funds. The Council stresses that the draft regulation, which still has to be submitted to the opinion of the European Parliament at first reading, aims to ensure the traceability of payments and settlements and prevent the funding of terrorism, by such means as requiring the order-initiator to be identified. This regulation adds to the anti-money-laundering directive adopted recently. The Council also took note of progress made in the implementation of the EU action plan to fight terrorism, and its strategy to prevent the funding of terrorism (EUROPE 9080). A "renewed" strategy to fight terrorism will be presented to the European Council of 15 and 16 December.