H. Res. 233 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

June 18, 2007. 

Whereas in 1806, Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire and Liechtenstein became a sovereign country; 

Whereas Liechtenstein is nestled between Switzerland and 

Austria in the Upper Rhine valley of the European Alps, 

and is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the 

world; 

Whereas Liechtenstein has approximately 35,000 inhabitants, 

primarily Roman Catholics of German ethnicity; 

Whereas Liechtenstein maintains a strong system of checks 

and balances between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; 

Whereas Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy, whose powers were expanded through a popular 

referendum in March 2004 in which 64 percent of citizens approved a new constitution; 

Whereas the parliament of Liechtenstein, the ‘‘Landtag’’, 

consists of 25 representatives elected for four year terms 

by proportional representation in two multi-seat constituencies, 10 representing the lowland area and 15 representing the highland area; 

Whereas after World War II, on the basis of Liechtenstein’s 

advantageous corporate tax laws and its Customs Union 
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with Switzerland, an industrial upswing transformed 

Liechtenstein from a poor agricultural state to a modern 

society; 

Whereas despite its small geographic area and limited natural 

resources, Liechtenstein has a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with manufacturing as 

its leading economic sector, complemented by a robust financial sector; 

Whereas Liechtenstein has been a member of the European 

Economic Area since May 1995 and is working to harmonize its economic policies more closely with the European Union; 

Whereas Liechtenstein companies have a considerable manufacturing, sales and service presence in the United 

States, which has resulted in the creation of over 4500 

jobs; 

Whereas since 1999, the United States has been the most important export market for members of the Liechtenstein 

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, totaling 

$521,000,000 in 2005; 

Whereas the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the 

United States and the Principality of Liechtenstein, 

which entered into force in August of 2003, has resulted 

in an enhanced pursuit of criminals and terrorists; 

Whereas in cooperation with the United States-led coalition 

after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Liechtenstein 

froze assets of the former Iraqi regime, which resulted, 

among other things, in the return of a Falcon Jet 50 to 

the Iraqi people; 

Whereas in collaboration with experts from the United 

States, the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination 
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at Princeton University seeks to raise awareness about 

issues pertaining to self-determination, self-governance 

and sovereignty through teaching, research and publications; 

Whereas Liechtenstein abolished its military in 1868 and has 

exercised neutrality in its foreign affairs; and 

Whereas Liechtenstein is an active member in international 

organizations such as the United Nations, the World 

Trade Organization, and the Organization for Security 

and Cooperation in Europe: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) recognizes over 200 years of sovereignty of the 

Principality of Liechtenstein; and 

(2) expresses its support for efforts by the United 

States to continue to strengthen its relationship with 

that country. 

Attest: 

Clerk.