While the charming (Laszlo Kovacs words not ours!) French Finance Minister Mme Lagarde made headlines at the Brussels Tax Forum for her comments on the CCCTB, the aforementioned Commissioner Kovacs comments went largely unnoticed, possibly because he didn't use either the term or the abbreviation in his opening speech.

During his opening speech Commissioner Kovacs stated that a more efficient tax structure that is broad, stable, simple, fraud-proof, and that allows Member States to pursue their own objectives in terms of equity and efficiency was required. In addition, he stated that Europe needs tax systems that are pro-growth, make work desirable and strengthen competitiveness.

Also, he stated that in order to increase competitiveness in the European Union there is a real need for the Member States to act together in certain tax policy areas, while in other areas they can follow their own and sovereign tax policy. He reiterated that tax rates are normally best decided in the 27 capitals in relation to domestic expenditure requirements. However, he said rules that help reduce tax obstacles and compliance costs and that help companies and citizens to make use of the largest internal market in the world are best determined together. He mentioned that acting together can take various forms from harmonization to coordinated actions depending on the circumstances.

While all committed Europeans would agree with the requirements of a competitive Europe, it is very difficult to identify the CCCTB as the panacea for this.

In his concluding remarks, he recognised the concern some speakers have, that the CCCTB proposal could be overburdened with too many compromises between the Member States during the decision making process in the Council. He said that such concerns had reinforced his intention to keep the proposed common consolidated corporate tax base (his only time to use the term) as simple, broad and transparent as possible. Those who have followed the progression of the CCCTB Working Group papers could conclude that such sentiment may be too late.

The minutes, presentations and speeches of the 2008 Brussels Tax Forum, which took place on 7 and 8 April, are now available from the Commission website.