The euro zone rescue fund (EFSF) will not be raised beyond the 440 billion euros already approved nor will Germany's participation rise beyond 211 billion euros, a German Finance Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday. Martin Kotthaus, spokesman for Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, told a news conference that there were "productive and positive" talks taking place across Europe ahead of meetings this weekend. He said the discussions centre on how euro zone countries can use the 440 billion European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) most effectively. "There is no discussion about raising it beyond 440 billion ... (full story)