"Progress made" in EU tax dispute
Swiss and European Union representatives have met in Bern for a third round of talks on cantonal company taxation arrangements.
Progress was made, according to Matthias Brinkmann, head of the EU delegation, who hoped this would also apply to other dossiers Switzerland wanted to negotiate with the EU.
The delegations again discussed the question of whether the 1972 Free Trade Agreement between Switzerland and the EU was applicable to certain cantonal company taxation regulations. The EU considers it is, Switzerland doesn't.
According to a statement released by the Swiss finance ministry on Tuesday, "diverging positions remain in this regard".
Nevertheless the ministry said the aim of the talks was not to prepare the ground for negotiations, but rather to engage in a thorough discussion and clarification of mutual positions.
This goal was largely achieved over the course of the previous meetings, it said, adding that it was therefore agreed by both sides that no date would be set for a further meeting.
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