Thirty-five world leaders (in office ore retired), dozens of millionaires and hundreds of high officials from over 90 countries are involved in the investigation on the alleged money hiding and laundering.

The EC spokeswoman Dana Spinant said during the press conference in Brussels that they are in no position of commenting on any names of individual entities cited in the investigation.

The official stated that the European Union will be presenting a proposal on the ‘wrong usage of shell companies for fiscal motives’.

The spokesman for the control area Daniel Ferrie said on his part that the EC was ‘proactive’ in the last few years in fighting these matters and set a timetable ‘to increase transparency and fight against aggressive fiscal planning.’

The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis and the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades are among the European leaders mentioned in the investigation.

Maltese John Dalli, former European Commissioner of Health and Consumption (2010-2012) resigned over a scandal related to alleged bribery in connection to the tobacco industry and is also mentioned in the Papers.

Ferrie stated to the press that the EC has a ‘robust’ legal framework with some of the world’s most advanced fiscal standards; however, he added that ‘we will continue working to reinforce our arsenal against tax abuse.’

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