Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MADRID787
2009-08-05 13:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
ANDORRA PROPOSES TAX INFORMATION EXCHANGE
how-toVZCZCXRO5286 RR RUEHLA DE RUEHMD #0787 2171321 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051321Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1053 INFO RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 4076
UNCLAS MADRID 000787
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE AND EEB/IFD/OMA; TREASURY FOR
OIA:T.O'KEEFFE AND OTP:J.HARRINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN SP AN
SUBJECT: ANDORRA PROPOSES TAX INFORMATION EXCHANGE
AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH U.S.
REF: BARCELONA 32
Post received on August 5 a faxed diplomatic note from
Andorra's foreign ministry asking us to forward a letter from
Andorran Finance Minister Pere Lopez Agras to Treasury
Secretary Geithner regarding the GOA's interest in starting
Tax Information Exchange Agreement(TIEA) negotiations. The
letter contains an offer to send an Andorran delegation to
the U.S. in September and asks for a point of contact. Full
text of the (English-language) letter follows:
Andorra la Vella, 30 July 2009
Excellency,
I am pleased to inform you hereby that the Principality of
Andorra signed on 10 March 2009 a unilateral statement
declaring the will of the Government of Andorra to adapt to
OECD standards for the exchange of information relating to
tax matters.
In this sense allow me to express the interest of my
Government to initiate negotiations for the signing of an
agreement for the exchange of information relating to tax
matters between the Principality of Andorra and the United
States of America.
However considering the Andorran legislative elections took
place last 26 April and the new Government was set up last 7
June, during the first week of September the Consell General
that is our Parliament will examine the bill modifying
regulations on bank secrecy currently in force.
As soon as the appropriate legislative modifications are
done, we will be able to commence formal negotiations of
agreements for the exchange of information relating to tax
matters with several countries.
Therefore if this proposal is of your interest, an Andorran
delegation will be willing to travel to your country in
September. In order to begin talks formally, I would be
grateful if you could provide me with the contact details of
the person from your Cabinet who is in charge of these
matters so as Mr. Marc Juan (marc juan@govern.ad; tel:
00376875700) from my Ministry contacts him/her.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest
consideration.
/ s /
Pere Lopez Agras
Minister of Finance
End text.
CHACON