Luxembourg is located between France, Germany and Belgium and is one of the smallest countries in the world. Although it is only about 50 kilometers from the eastern edge of the country to the western edge, the tiny Grand Duchy is one of the most prosperous states in the world. Capital: Luxembourg Official language: German, French and Luxembourg Currency: Euro Passport and visa: A Finnish citizen needs a passport or identity card as a travel document. Time difference to Finland: -1
Agriculture and fishing
Agriculture is of little importance to the Luxembourg economy. It is mainly run on small family farms which largely keep cattle.
CountryAAH: Comprehensive import regulations of Luxembourg. Covers import prohibitions and special documentation requirements for a list of prohibited items.
Milk production is the dominant employment, the dairy sector accounts for almost half of the income from agriculture. This is followed by beef, but despite this, Luxembourg is a net importer of meat.
In the north, cereals are also grown, mainly wheat, barley and rye wheat, and some potatoes, rapeseed oil, vegetables and fruits. In the south, especially in the Moselle Valley, vineyards are common. Forestry is quite extensive. Timber is mainly exported as raw material. For Luxembourg defense and foreign policy, please check relationshipsplus.
FACTS – AGRICULTURE
Agriculture’s share of GDP
0.3 percent (2018)
Percentage of land used for agriculture
53.7 percent (2016)
Abbreviationfinder.org: Offers how the 3-letter acronym of LUX stands for the state of Luxembourg in geography.
2014
November
Juncker can handle a vote of no confidence
November 27th
The Luxleaks disclosure at the beginning of the month means that right-wing extremists and EU skeptic parties in the European Parliament are forcing a distrust vote against Juncker. He survives it with the numbers 461-101. Juncker himself, in an appearance a few weeks earlier, has denied having contributed to or encouraged tax planning for large companies during his reign. Juncker has also rejected all thoughts of a conflict of interest when the EU is investigating Luxembourg’s actions.
Luxembourg is hung out as a tax haven
November 5
Leaked documents show that Luxembourg helped about 340 international large corporations to avoid tax, by stamping advance notice that facilitated advanced tax planning. Jean-Claude Juncker, who just a few days before taking office as new EU President, is now in a strange position when the European Commission is to press Luxembourg on information about the disclosure which will be called Luxembourg Leaks or “Luxleaks”.
July
Juncker is approved as EU President
July 15
The European Parliament approves Jean-Claude Juncker as the new President of the European Commission. He was proposed at an EU summit in June, when everyone except the leaders of Hungary and the UK voted against him. Juncker was Luxembourg’s Prime Minister from 1995 to 2013 and also Finance Minister from 1989 to 2013.
June
Same-sex marriage is accepted
Parliament adopts, by a broad margin, a law that allows marriages to be concluded between same-sex parties; Gays also get full adoption rights. The law amendment will enter into force on 1 January 2015.
May
Christian Democrats largest in EU elections
May 25
The Christian Socialist Party CSV receives close to 38 percent of the vote in the European Parliament elections, thus securing three seats. The Green and Democratic Party get around 15 percent and one mandate each, while the Social Democratic LSAP with just under 12 percent voter support gets the remaining mandate.
March
Bank secrecy is abolished
Luxembourg, along with Austria, is withdrawing its long-standing opposition to the EU Savings Directive and is thus ready to lift its banking secrecy. This is announced by Prime Minister Bettel at an EU summit. According to Bettel, other EU countries have provided sufficient guarantees to continue to pressure non-EU countries in Europe to also lift their banking secrecy.
