LITHUANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ASKED EU MEMBER STATES TO GRANT A LONGER TRANSITIONAL PERIOD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PIPELINE EU REQUIREMENTS FOR EXCISE DUTIES ON CIGARETTES
Created 2002-01-16
On January 15, Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis sent an official letter to the Foreign Ministers of 15 EU Member States asking to grant for Lithuania a longer transitional period for excise duties on cigarettes with regard to the requirements of the pipeline EU acquis.
In the letter, Minister Valionis pointed out that a rapid implementation of the EU requirements in this area may bring serious negative political, social and fiscal consequences in Lithuania.
In order to offset negative multi-sided implications, Lithuanian Government has decided to pursue a transitional period up to 31 December 2010. Lithuanian Government has also approved a plan of gradual alignment with the view of bringing its excise duties in line with the EU requirements.
Minister Valionis assured Foreign Ministers that Lithuania is making substantial administrative efforts to ensure that this transitional period does not have significant impact on internal market and other economic activities within the EU after enlargement.
Social media
