Question for written answer E-004683-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Fulvio Martusciello (PPE)

In his joint answer to written questions E-008787/16, E-009184/16 and E-009229/16, Commissioner Oettinger confirmed that around 10% of all illicit cigarettes in the EU originate from Belarus. I especially welcome the Commissioner’s recognition that the structure of excise applied to cigarettes in Belarus is in fact an important driver for this high level of smuggling into the EU.

The excise regime for cigarettes in Belarus enables low-segment brands to be subject to much lower excise rates than higher-segment brands, and this results in an ever-increasing price gap. In order to reduce incentives and profitability for smugglers, it is very important that Belarus should make every effort to reduce this gap, by increasing the applicable excise rates for low-segment brands.

The Commission met with Belarusian authorities on two occasions last year, and again on 3 and 4 April of this year in Minsk, in the context of the EU-Belarus Coordination Group.

Can the Commission outline what it has done so far and is continuing to do in order to secure a commitment from Belarus to modify its excise regime so as to combat cigarette smuggling into the EU, a phenomenon which is costing Member States roughly EUR 1 billion per year?