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09/04/2009 - Following recent statements by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, related to more efficient international tax co-operation, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría confirmed that the Organisation has always paid due attention to the interests of its Member countries and will continue to do so. He made public a letter to President Rudolf Mertz sent on 2 April of this year, setting out the course of actions of the Organisation to address concerns expressed by Switzerland. In the same letter, Secretary-General Gurría confirmed that he will continue to “be sensitive to any issues that may be of particular relevance to Switzerland and will do our best to keep the Swiss authorities informed on such issues in a timely manner”.

Considering the historic advances in the area of tax co-operation over the last few weeks, and taking into account that OECD effectively pursues a level playing field among jurisdictions, making it easier for all of them to commit to the global standard,  Secretary-General Gurría expressed his regrets that the Swiss government has decided to deny the approval of a budget line in the Organisation that aims to strengthen co-operation with the G20, at a time when the world is in need of greater co-operation and co-ordination to overcome the worst crisis in decades.

For further information, journalists may contact the OECD media division, tel:  + 33 1 4524 9700  or email: news.contact@oecd.org.