Wednesday, 16 May 2018, 17:30 – 20:30
European Movement Network, Sophienstr. 10178, 28/29, Berlin
In the last two years, despite the numerous tax-related scandals and revelations, not enough has changed in the world of offshore financial secrecy. On the contrary, the recent Paradise Papers leak showed how the offshore sector continues to be extensively used, in particular by large multinational companies to shift profits and minimise their taxes.
For example, one of the main legislative responses by the European Commission – a proposal for an EU legislation on public country-by-country reporting (CbCR) for large multinational enterprises – was published in 2016. Two years on, the text is still stuck in the EU Council, where EU member states have yet to reach an agreement on the proposal.
Germany plays a key role at the EU level and globally. How strongly is Germany following up on its vocal commitments to tackle aggressive tax planning, tax avoidance and money laundering? Is it a leader, a follower or a blocker when it comes to issues of tax and financial transparency?
This public roundtable event, jointly organised by Transparency International EU and Transparency International Germany, will focus on key corporate and financial transparency debates at the global and EU levels, taking a closer look at Germany’s role as an international player in these discussions.
Please confirm your participation via this registration form by 11 May.
The event has a limited number of seats.
Agenda
17:30 – 18:00 Registration
18:00 – 18:10 Welcoming and introductory remarks
Gabriele Klug, Transparency Germany
18:10– 19:30 Panel discussion – Germany’s role in recent transparency discussions at the EU and global levels
Moderator: Marina Popzov, Transparency Germany
The panel discussion focuses on the EU’s public CbCR legislation and the challenges it has been facing so far. The session further looks into the German involvement and position in the negotiations in the EU Council on this issue, which are currently stalled. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A.
- Prof. Dr. Heribert Hirte, MP
- Norbert Walter-Borjans, former Nordrhein-Westfalen Finance Minister
- Lisa Paus, MP
- Elena Gaita, Transparency International EU
- Markus Meinzer, Tax Justice Network
19:30 – 20:30 Networking cocktails