European Commission
Algirdas Šemeta
Commissioner responsible for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-fraud
Statement on European Parliament vote in favour of enhanced cooperation on the Financial Transactions Tax
European Parliament / Brussels, 12 December 2012
"I warmly welcome the European Parliament's overwhelming backing today for enhanced cooperation on the Financial Transactions Tax.
This is an important procedural step, and a strong political and democratic signal to the Member States.
Like the Commission, the Parliament has done all it can to facilitate quick progress on this file.
Now the Member States must do the same. There is no valid reason to delay.
The 11 willing Member States must be allowed to move ahead with the Financial Transactions Tax, for the sake of fair taxation and a stronger Single Market.
I urge Finance Ministers to make this matter a top priority in the new year, and to give the green light needed for the Financial Transactions Tax to proceed."
