Multilateral Cooperation in Tax Law

S. 269The Implementation of the OECD Pillars in the EU

Valentina Bertolini

S. 2701. Introduction

1.1. Multilateralism in international tax law

German former Chancellor Angela Merkel, in her speech made on 23 January 2019 at the 49^th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, defended the importance of multilateralism. She talked about the future of Germany and the European Union and challenges they face: “And so a clear commitment to multilateralism, even if it takes courage, is a fundamental prerequisite for our policymaking. It is also well worth bringing together like-minded countries across the world. Because anything else will end in misery”.

The concept of multilateralism and global cooperation in international organizations are common to various fields. Multilateralism and international institutions are “aimed at avoiding another widespread collision like the two World Wars and to ensure peace and prosperity” and “viewed as an effective mechanism in dealing and resolving various challenges at an international or a regional level.”

Multilateralism in international tax law dates back to 1960 and is linked to the constitution of the OECD. The Convention came into force on 30 September 1961 and, accord...