Monaco has declared that it will follow suit with other countries and welcome the agreement for exchanges in tax information that run in unity with international standards set out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The agreement is expected to be signed by Monaco by the end of 2009 so that it is able to share all matters of tax with other EU member states that are signatories of the OECD agreement. Monaco is also willing to make its tax information available to those countries who wish to see it and in particular G-20 members who are not part of the EU. OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurrea said: 'The Principality of Monaco has made a very important step by recognising that in today's financial world meeting international standards is no longer optional. Governments require it, customers require it, and competitors require it.'