Finnish PM leaves door open for job as Eurogroup chief

(HELSINKI) - Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen said Wednesday he was not vying to become head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers from eurozone countries, but left the door open as a possibility.

"I am not striving for the job. This is a position of trust, for which (EU President) Herman Van Rompuy is looking for a suitable person," Katainen told Finnish commercial television MTV3.

If Katainen were to be asked to take the job, he said he would "have to reflect on it, when the time comes."

The mandate of the Eurogroup's current head, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, is due to expire in the summer.

"It may be that Juncker continues or another person comes instead of him," Katainen said.

However, Katainen said that were he to consider such a post, the work of Eurogroup leader would have to be in addition to his tasks as prime minister of Finland.

"I want to do my own job, especially in this difficult time. Let's see, if the matter becomes relevant. Right now there is nothing yet to speculate about," he stressed.

Juncker has headed the Eurogroup since 2005 and was again re-elected for a 30-month term in January 2010.