From March 9-11 Dr. Katrin Eggenberger, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture, visited Washington for a number of high-level meetings. The visit served as an opportunity to highlight Liechtenstein-US bilateral relations, as well as multilateral partnerships.
In her capacity as Foreign Minister, Dr. Eggenberger met with Stephen Biegun, US Deputy Secretary of State. In addition to Liechtenstein's regular and proactive engagement with the US on foreign policy matters, she thanked the US for its support to bring the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) into the regular budget of the United Nations, an initiative spearheaded by Liechtenstein to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under International Law committed in Syria since March 2011.
Minister Eggenberger also discussed with Deputy Secretary Biegun Liechtenstein's role in creating the Liechtenstein Initiative which seeks to mobilize public and private sector actors in combating the financing of human trafficking and modern slavery. The initiative has resulted in a Blueprint for Mobilizing Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST) that equips financial actors with concrete tools to fight these crimes. Liechtenstein looks forward to building an active partnership with the US and hopes to bring in more American stakeholders.
In a meeting with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, Minister Eggenberger highlighted Liechtenstein's robust economic presence in the US and high level of commerce, with Liechtenstein companies playing integral roles in US supply chains in sectors such as construction, automotive, dental, audio-visual and coating systems. Though Liechtenstein is not a member of the European Union, Minister Eggenberger stressed that any progress in US-EU trade discussions would positively benefit Liechtenstein. As a member of the European Economic Area (EEA - all EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), Liechtenstein is fully integrated within the EU Single Market where its companies also play vital roles in the production of numerous goods and services.
Minister Eggenberger also met with Brent McIntosh, Under Secretary for International Affairs at the Department of Treasury, where she highlighted Liechtenstein's active and engaged partnership with Treasury enabling the tax and financial oversight authorities of both countries to work together to combat financial crimes. She also stressed Liechtenstein's continued interest in concluding a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with the US. A DTA would allow for numerous incentives for Liechtenstein companies in the US, through the minimization of cases of double taxation in both countries, to grow their economic footprint, adding jobs and further expanding production and output. Already, Liechtenstein companies provide 5700 US jobs, a substantial number against Liechtenstein's population of roughly 38,000, while also contributing $850 million in US foreign direct investment (FDI).
Minister Eggenberger also met with Elaine Chao, US Secretary of Transportation. The meeting served as an opportunity to further promote Liechtenstein's FAST Initiative and to share best-practices in combating human trafficking and modern slavery. The US Department of Transportation, through its Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking Initiative (TLAHT), also seeks to find ways to battle the issue.
Minister Eggenberger was also able to meet with Congressman Don Beyer of Virginia. From 2009-2013 Beyer served as US Ambassador to Liechtenstein and Switzerland and is now a Co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Liechtenstein Caucus, which has a mission of informing its members about Liechtenstein and developing partnerships with the US.