(ANSA) - Rome, November 19 - The new head of the European
Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, must make it a priority to
fight tax evasion and tax avoidance, Italian Foreign Minister
Paolo Gentiloni said Wednesday.
Speaking outside a conference at the United Nation's Food
and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Gentiloni said that the EC
has important objectives including economic growth and
investment.
But the tax issue must also be a priority, he added.
Gentiloni's comments came amid a controversy surrounding
Juncker and his years as finance minister and prime minister of
Luxembourg.
Multinational corporations have moved their bases to
Luxembourg to take advantage of its low business tax rates,
rather than paying higher rates in the countries where they
operate.
"From our point of view, (the EC) is very active
on...growth and investment," said Gentiloni.
"The committee should work to fight against tax evasion and
tax avoidance at the (European) Community level," said
Gentiloni.
Gentiloni says EC must fight tax dodges
Foreign minister says Juncker also focussed on economic growth