—
Fair and simple taxation supporting the recovery strategy (continuation of debate)
I believe that, in the current economic situation, combating tax fraud and tax evasion is even more important than hitherto. Everyone has to pay taxes on their real economic activities. Stable public revenues are in our common interest for economic recovery and sustainable growth. It is also important to reduce the administrative burden for small and medium-sized enterprises and make it easier for them to operate in the single market. For this reason, I agree with the parts of the report that aim to take initiatives in this regard or to improve the exchange of information in tax matters. This is all the more so because the progress made in recent years has made a major contribution to the fight against tax evasion, both at EU level and in the Member States. I am also proud to say that the VAT gap in Hungary has now fallen to 9%. This was supported by three important government actions: the introduction of online cash registers, an electronic road freight traffic control system and an online invoicing system. However, I reject the parts of the report that attack the EU Treaties. I would like to remind my fellow Members on the left once again that tax policy decisions fall within the competence of the Member States. Again, I would like to point out that tax harmonisation would result in a loss of competitiveness for the whole of the Union. I ask my fellow Members to respect the treaties and to create only rules and reports in this House which, even in these difficult times, will help the competitiveness of European industry and not act against it.