6.30pm, Oxford Union – Old Library, Thursday of 5th Week (18/02/2010)
Speaker: The Swiss Ambassador – HE Alexis Lautenberg
Topic: “Switzerland in the tail end of the economic crisis”
Switzerland is home to some of Europe’s largest banks (e.g. UBS) and to the controversial rule of not disclosing details about assets held by foreigners in the country. This has led to much controversy about Switzerland’s role as a tax haven. Those issues will ensure an interesting and entertaining discussion.
Life
HE Mr Alexis Lautenberg – Swiss Ambassador to the UK – has over thirty years experience in the Swiss diplomatic service having joined the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 1974. This has involved him being Ambassador to both Italy and the European Communities in Brussels, as well as serving in Berne, Geneva and Stockholm.
Lautenberg has also been heavily involved in the economic interests of his country having held the post of Head of the Economic and Finance Divsion at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs between 1985 and 1993. This led him to be the Chairman of the Group for negotiations on financial services within the Uruguay Round between 1990 and 1991, as well as Chairman of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering between 1991 and 1992.
This wide wealth of experience will be brought to bear in his talk to the EAS on ‘Switzerland in the tail-end of the economic crises’ which will cover Switzerland’s role as a tax haven post-crisis. The topic of Switzerland’s bank secret is of special interest, as the recent purchase of a CD with data about foreign tax evaders in Switzerland by the German government has led to an international diplomatic uproar.
In addition, his lifelong interest in the UK, having holidayed in the UK every year between the ages of four and 18, will help him answer the related question of whether Switzerland’s relationship with the EU could be a model for the UK.
For more information please see the information card on Mr. Lautenberg and join the Facebook event for this talk.
