After the G7 summit in Biarritz (see EUROPE 12313/3), the reform of international taxation was discussed in a different format on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 August: that of the Finance Ministers of the German-speaking countries.
Meeting in Mondorf-les-Bains, Luxembourg, for their annual informal meeting, the Finance Ministers of Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland exchanged views on the projects currently being discussed at the level of the G20 and OECD countries on company taxation and their possible impact on the five countries, the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting states.
In addition, the ministers focused on digitisation as a challenge and driver for financial centres, as well as on the future of cryptocurrencies, in particular Facebook's Libra project for a stable cryptocurrency (see EUROPE 12299/11).
Another topic discussed was European integration and cross-border mobility. The five ministers also discussed several mechanisms to improve cross-border mobility and visited the city of Schengen, highlighting their commitment to the right to free movement.
"The meeting of German-speaking finance ministers is an important and unique platform in that it brings together Member States and non-EU countries with different economies, all hosting major financial centres", Luxembourg Minister Pierre Gramegna said in a statement. In 2020, it will be Austria's turn to host the meeting. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)