Mikko Puumalainen, Finland's deputy justice chancellor, on Monday issued a strongly worded statement faulting the finance ministry for dragging its feet in drafting new legislation on the taxation of used cars imported from other parts of the European Union.

Mr Puumalainen said the ministry had done nothing to make car taxation compatible with EU membership until the European Court of Justice's ruling last year.

Finland joined the union in 1995.

The EU court ruled a year ago that Finland's practice of levying VAT on used cars imported from other member states violated the union's single market rules.

The deputy justice chancellor added that the finance ministry's lack of action had led to unreasonable work and case loads at Customs and at administrative courts.

STT