03/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Council has adopted the directive allowing eight Member States to benefit from transition periods, before applying the directive on interest and royalty payments. The text does away with withholding on certain operations, such as the flow of technology or capital between associate firms in order to avoid double taxation. The Council decision confirms the derogations negotiated in 2000 for Portugal, Spain and Greece and grants a two-year period to Slovakia and...