Brussels, 15/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 October, Switzerland signed the OECD convention on administrative aid in tax affairs (see EUROPE 10941), becoming the 58th signatory of this convention on various forms of mutual assistance (spontaneous or upon request exchange of tax information, tax inspections overseas or carried out simultaneously in a number of countries and aid in clawing back unpaid tax), thus paving the way, if the parties so agree, to automatic exchange of bank account information that is set to become standard practice internationally according to G20 guidelines laid down in July. Speaking at the OECD headquarters in Paris where he attended the official signature, Switzerland's ambassador to the EU, Stefan Flückiger, said Switzerland pledges to take part in the global battle against tax avoidance and tax fraud in order to protect the integrity and reputation of Switzerland's financial role. (FG/transl.fl)