Indirect taxation calls for a high degree of harmonization as it affects
the free movement of goods and services. This is not the case for direct
taxation, which is why the Treaty establishing the European Community (EC
Treaty) does not make specific provision for the alignment of direct taxation.
Some aspects of direct taxation do not need to be harmonized or coordinated
and are left entirely to the discretion of the Member States. The situation is
somewhat different when direct taxation has an impact on the four freedoms
enshrined in the EC Treaty (free movement of goods, persons, services and
capital) and the right of establishment of persons and businesses. National
taxation systems must respect these four fundamental freedoms. However, direct
taxation systems have never been harmonized in the Community.

This area of European taxation is still rather unclear and rife with open
questions. Consequently, the expert analysis offered in this book will be of
significant interest to many international tax practitioners and academics.
Among the areas addressed by this work are the following:

• 
  The direct impact of Article 56 EC Treaty (Right of Establishment) in the
  relations with third States;
  


• 
  The indirect impact of the fundamental freedoms in the relations with third
  States;
  


• 
  Fundamental Freedoms in relation to EEA States under the EEA Agreement;
  


• 
  Agreements between Switzerland and the European Union;
  


• 
  The relations with other third States in the field of direct taxes;
  


• 
  The impact of Secondary EC Law on the relations with third States;
  


• 
  Article 307 EC Treaty (Free Movement of Capital);
  


• 
  and The treaty-making power of the European Union in the relations with third
  States.