Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti says certain conditions have to be met before a new tax deal can be struck with Switzerland.

Monti said the agreements on the books dealing with commuters and double taxation have to be respected before new talks can begin.

The canton of Ticino froze millions in withheld Italian commuter taxes, protesting the high rate of withholding tax of nearly 40 percent.

Monti said Ticino unilaterally violated international treaties, and if Switzerland wants to negotiate it needs to honor current deals.

In the past, Ticino businesses complained they were suffering from the high taxes on cross-border business, and Italy’s naming Switzerland as a tax haven.