Chief Minister Lyndon Trott, left, and States chief executive Mike Brown in Brussels. (0874055)

GUERNSEY escaped being discussed at a crucial European Union tax meeting yesterday.

It gives the island a better chance of putting its case across to member states about planned changes to zero-10 corporation tax.

Senior treasury ministers and officials from across the EU met yesterday to discuss the highly secretive Code of Conduct for Business Taxation.

The decision not to discuss the Crown Dependencies’ tax systems followed a meeting between Chief Minister Lyndon Trott and the European Commission Department of Taxation.

Ever since it was made clear that Guernsey’s corporate tax system would be under scrutiny from the Code of Conduct Group, regular representations have been made to the UK government and the European Commission, which plays a vital behind-the-scenes coordinating role in the group’s deliberations.

Deputy Trott and States chief executive Mike Brown were in Brussels from Sunday until last night to discuss matters of concern with key EU contacts.

Deputy Trott said the latest meeting with the commission had been the most constructive yet and built on previous conversations, including those in Mexico at the OECD Global Forum earlier this year.