Finland says IMF help for Greece 'should be considered'

(HELSINKI) - Finland is open to International Monetary Fund (IMF) help for Greece, a finance ministry source said Friday, as the prospect of the debt-stricken country appealing to the IMF gathered momentum in Europe.

"Finland's stance from the beginning has been that IMF funding should be considered," the source, who asked not to be identified, told AFP.

Finnish Finance Minister Jyrki Katainen pleaded for bilateral, voluntary European assistance for Greece in Brussels on Tuesday, "meaning each country decides for itself whether it will assist Greece."

"We think it would be good if the IMF were part of this package," Katainen was cited as saying in Finnish reports on the meeting.

"Because the stabilisation of Greece has very strong European leadership, the IMF would not bring any foreign elements into (the package of) assistance," he added.

Along with the rest of the eurozone, Finland was initially reticent on an IMF-led debt-rescue package but then said it was open to financing from the international body.

Non-euro neighbour Sweden said a month ago that an IMF role in the Greece crisis should not be considered taboo and led the way in cranking up the pressure on Athens.

Germany and the Netherlands on Thursday signalled that the EU could open the IMF route to debt-laden Greece, despite doubts in some EU quarters. Fears that Greece could default on its debts have roiled financial markets in recent weeks.

Under pressure from the EU, the Greek government has announced draconian action to restore its public finances to health but they have met major public opposition.