The compromise proposal brought forward by the Minister of Finance Karl-Heinz Grasser in his capacity as President of the Ecofin Council on 24 January 2006 concerning the VAT directive and reduced VAT rates for work-intensive services, has been approved by 24 out of 25 countries.
Due to the Katowice tragedy on Saturday, Grasser informed the finance ministers of the other EU Member States that the deadline, which ended on Sunday, has been deferred at the request of Poland.
Mr Grasser stated: "We deeply regret the tragedy and human suffering which has taken place in Katowice. In view of this, it was very important for me to grant Poland’s request allowing it a little more time in which to make its decision. I am confident that Poland, like Cyprus and the Czech Republic, will change its negative stance towards the Austrian Presidency’s proposal in this important area and thereby give a positive signal with respect to public confidence in the European Union's ability to take decisions and demonstrate solidarity".
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