EU Delegation extending its development assistance to address weak spots in tax governance
The European Union (EU) Delegation to Namibia on Thursday said the decision of the Council of the EU should not be read as the decision listing Namibia as the tax haven.
Namibia was not labeled as a tax haven as mistakenly mentioned in international press and media, according to the EU Ambassador to Namibia, Jana Hybaskova.
The Ambassador at a press meeting in Windhoek said the Council Decision of the EU 28 categorized Namibia as a country with a non-cooperative tax jurisdiction.
“The list is temporary, and is based on the fact that Namibia did not respond to the questions posted and, will be revised at least annually. Therefore, the EU Delegation to Namibia will extend its development assistance through Technical Cooperation Facility to assist Namibia to comply with specialist and complex technical process concerning the de listing,” she said.
According to Hybaskova Namibia is a sovereign state therefore, the EU Delegation can only confirm an invitation to the Namibian Government to enter the dialogue to be de-listed from the list of countries with non-cooperating jurisdiction.
“Currently there are no direct sanctions applied against Namibia. Namibia has, according to the EU Council conclusions, as has any other state, until December 2018 and June 2019 respectively to comply with the suggested rules,” she added.
Meanwhile, Hybaskova said following a very positive meeting on Wednesday Dec. 6 with representatives of he Namibian Government, the EU Delegation to Namibia has offered to provide technical assistance under EU’s Technical Assistance Facility for Namibia to actively participate in good tax governance and to become a cooperative tax jurisdiction.
