Mr. Paul Tang:

Can I suggest what would be very helpful for tax? That is important.

It is in everyone's interests, regardless of his or her political colour, to try to work towards a global framework. Let us take, for example, the International Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, which works on the dispute issue of climate change. The IPCC is a scientific body that seeks to gather evidence and reach conclusions on climate change. This is what we are now doing in the European Union on the tax issue but we would also like to have it addressed at a global level. Perhaps the OECD could start this process. We must also include the developing countries because, as the Deputy stated, they are significant. Given that economics has turned global, we need a global framework and we should start working to achieve that. While it may not be effective and it may be for information exchange, it may be needed later on.

The less developed countries are the real victims of tax avoidance. I find it a little annoying that, on the one hand, Bono initiated ONE.org, which argues for debt redemption in Africa, an understandable and good objective, while, on the other hand, he uses structures that are detrimental to these countries. That is a case of doublespeak.