site.btaSofia Will Lodge Complaint with EC against 26% Tax Imposed by Athens on Greek Business Transactions Originating in Bulgaria

Sofia Will Lodge Complaint with EC against 26% Tax
Imposed by Athens on Greek Business Transactions Originating
in Bulgaria


Sofia, April 8 (BTA) - At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the
Council of Ministers adopted a decision that Bulgaria will lodge
a complaint based on Article 259 of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the EU and will refer to the European Commission
a 26 per cent tax imposed by Athens on Greek business
transactions originating in Bulgaria. The Cabinet's decision
authorizes the Finance Minister to inform the European
Commission of the legal grounds for the complaint.

Reacting to the steps taken about the tax imposed by Greece,
Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov told journalists that Bulgaria's
Ambassador to that country contacted Deputy Finance Minister
Nadja Valavani immediately after the ordinance introducing it
was announced. She made a commitment that the text would be
revised. Indeed, the time frame for verification of such
transactions was reduced from one year to three months. However,
this again contravenes the EU regulations and goes against the
way the two states should develop their economic relations,
Mitov said, adding: "The Finance Minister has written a letter
to the European Commission and we are also working on a
bilateral basis. There is hope that the issue will be solved."

PK/DD



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