EES Economic Talks in Brussels (BE), June 22, 2015

Brussels Economic Talks
“Taxes and Enterprises in Europe: Enabling Competition, Fostering Growth”
Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the EU

To steer by taxation. The European Commission sees great need for reforms in the tax- and duty-systems in Europe. Taxes are an important tool to achieve strategic objectives for the EU Commission. In order to combat the so-called "aggressive tax planning" of multinational companies, the European Commission aims not only an enhanced EU-wide collaboration in tax policy and a comprehensive exchange of information in tax matters, tax systems in the EU are seen to be developed further that they favor economic, social and ecological sustainable development. The introduction of an European tax is on the EC agenda to finance by own EU revenue sources European tasks and expenses.

What is the European Commission planning in the field of instrumentation of taxes exactly? More tax competition or more harmonization of taxation? What are the implications for citizens and businesses? How should a development of tax systems look like that is simultaneously social, ecological and sustainable, but not hindering competitiveness and economic growth?

One thing is clear: the status quo will not remain in the field of taxes and tax systems as before.
Our Brussels Economic talks would like to provide insights about taxes in Europe. But at the same time we would like to discuss objectively in a dialogue with political decision-makers in Brussels this important topic for businesses and citizens and we want to contribute our ideas and experience in the field of taxes in the policy making process.

• Rolf Baron von HOHENHAU
   President Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE)
• Dr. Rudolf W. STROHMEIER
  Deputy Director-General DG Research & Innovation
• Heinz ZOUREK
  DG Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission

(from left to right) Heinz Zourek, European Commission, President Dr Ingo Friedrich and European Taxpayers'
President Rolf von Hohenhau

(left) Dr Rudolf W. Strohmeier, European Commission

Panel Discussion Hanns Seidel Stiftung (HSS)
European Economic Senate (EES)
and Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE)

“Future European Tax Policy – Tax Competition or Tax Harmonization”

Programme 

Nomination Economy Senator

(from left to right) CEO Michael Jäger, Secretary General Wolfgang Franken, Commisioner Valdis Dombrovskis,
Economy Senator Jürgen Wowra, President Dr Ingo Friedrich and European Taxpayers' President Rolf von Hohenhau

 For more pictures please see the picture galery in the members' area

Article published in Klartext 7/8 2015 (German)