German-Liechtenstein relations

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German-Liechtenstein relations
Location of Germany and Liechtenstein
GermanyGermany LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
Germany Liechtenstein

Germany and Liechtenstein are members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the European Economic Area .

Germany's embassy in Bern is also responsible for Liechtenstein. An honorary consul works in Liechtenstein's largest town, Schaan . Liechtenstein has an embassy in Berlin . Honorary consuls reside in Frankfurt am Main and Munich .

In 2008, the ruling Prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II, used the expression " Fourth Reich " in a letter about German-Liechtenstein relations . He also described the relationship between the two countries as a "rollercoaster ride" and commented that they hope for "better times" in this regard.

Liechtenstein is the only German-speaking state in which German is the sole official and national language . The heads of state of both countries take part in the annual meetings of the German-speaking countries .

history

During the Roman period, today's Liechtenstein territory was part of the Roman province of Raetia , as was today's Graubünden , Vorarlberg , southern Bavaria and Upper Swabia . In the 8th century Raetia - and thus also today's Liechtenstein territory - was integrated into the Frankish Empire . When it was divided, Eastern Franconia came into being , which in turn became the Holy Roman Empire (German Nation) in 962 . Until the dissolution of the empire in 1806, Liechtenstein remained a part of it, which explains the historical depth and narrowness of German-Liechtenstein relations.

In 1806, Liechtenstein gained its sovereignty, but as a member of the Rhine Confederation maintained close contacts with the German states. Relations with Austria were particularly close, and a customs treaty was concluded with this neighboring country in 1852. The Alpine state remained neutral during the First World War . In the post-war period the Principality broke away from Austria and concluded a customs treaty with Switzerland. The particularly close ties with Switzerland still exist today.

In 1939 the National Socialist Volksdeutsche movement tried to instigate a coup in Liechtenstein , but it failed. Liechtenstein remained neutral during the Second World War. The German armed forces did have simulation games for the annexation of Liechtenstein, but they were never implemented.

Tax disputes

In the post-war period, Liechtenstein changed from a poor agricultural state to a service-oriented country. The main industry today is in the tertiary sector: banks, trustees and other financial services. Liechtenstein levies comparatively low taxes, which is why it is viewed by the German government as a tax haven . A total of several billion euros in funds from hundreds of citizens resident in Germany are said to have flowed through Liechtenstein's LGT Bank and other banks, above all in foundations established under local law . In 2008 there was finally a tax affair with Germany , in which numerous German tax evaders were exposed: LGT Bank had illegally stolen internal bank data by a former bank employee. The purchase of the data by the Federal Republic of Germany put a strain on diplomatic relations with Liechtenstein. As a result of the Liechtenstein tax affair, loans to German museums that had already been promised by the Princely House of Liechtenstein were withdrawn by Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein. This act was justified with "questionable constitutional principles", but the German media assume that it is an expression of the resentment of the Princely House. In the meantime, an “agreement on administrative assistance in tax matters” has been concluded between the two states, and a double taxation agreement will be negotiated in 2011. Overall, there was a change in the Liechtenstein financial center and so Liechtenstein is now finally relying on a banking center with a white money strategy.

See also

Liechtenstein Embassy in Berlin

Web links

Commons : German-Liechtenstein relations  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Relations with Germany . Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  2. ↑ Berlin (D) (German and English) . Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved December 23, 2011. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.regierung.li
  3. ^ The letter from the Prince of Liechtenstein . Sueddeutsche.de. September 11, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  4. ↑ d'Lëtzebuerger Land - At the German Confederation in Eupen (September 2nd, 2016)
  5. ^ Liechtenstein and Hitler's certificate . FAZ.net. May 9, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  6. ↑ Eduard Gürhoff, Chief Investigator at the Bochum Public Prosecutor: "It looks as if not only one bank is affected," quoted from: Another bank involved in Liechtenstein tax affair: "It'll pop again next week" , Handelsblatt .com, February 15 2008
  7. ↑ Official announcement of the Liechtenstein Princely House ( Memento of the original from December 22, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 8 kB)  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fuerstenhaus.li
  8. ↑ Report from the Stern Highness is angry
  9. ↑ White money strategy. In: Neue Zürcher Zeitung. December 20, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2011.