Strijd EU tegen belastingontduiking vertraagd door Zwitserland en Liechtenstein (en)

The European Union's ambitious plan to track down citizens depositing money abroad in order to avoid taxes will be delayed again, since two non-EU countries will not be ready on time.

Switzerland and Liechtenstein, both known as major tax havens, confirmed yesterday (23 June) that they will not be ready by the beginning of next year and that cracking down on cross-border tax evaders will be delayed at least six months, reports AP.

EU ambassadors have decided therefore to delay the start date until 1 July 2005.

Switzerland and the EU have signed an agreement, according to which they would work together to stop people avoiding paying taxes by depositing money abroad. In return the EU was to make it easier for Swiss citizens to travel and do business in the EU.

According to Swiss officials, ''in no case'' could they complete parliamentary procedures in time, writes AP.

Also, Swiss voters have 100 days after a law is published to gather signatures and challenge it, which they are quite likely to do. To demand a referendum requires 50,000 signatures.

Liechtenstein is reportedly also not ready.