OREANDA-NEWS. June 10, 2013. During a work visit of Ukrainian delegation led by Minister of Incomes and Fees of Ukraine Olexandr Klymenko to Brussels there has been signed an Understanding on cooperation concerning illegal circulation of tobacco goods with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

In particular, the document envisages raising of efficiency of data exchange concerning illegal circulation of tobacco goods and also taking joint actions directed to prevention, revelation and investigation of illegal transportation of such products. There have been determined contact persons from the two sides to coordinate cooperation.

“It is a qualitatively new cooperation level. We count that owing to this a new mechanism of effective cooperation and exchange of information will work. Taking into account that contraband is an international problem with well-developed criminal network that operates through borders, well-coordinated approach and cooperation of Ukraine and the EU are viewed by us as a single effective way of solving of this problem,” Minister Olexandr Klymenko underlined at a meeting with OLAF Director General Giovanni Kessler.

G. Kessler evaluated a high level of current cooperation of OLAF with Ukrainian customs services in prevention of illegal circulation of tobacco goods. He reminded that on June 5, 2013 the European Commission had approved the Package of measures to strengthen fight against illegal trade in tobacco goods, especially contraband of cigarettes, taking into account that such criminal activity leads to annual budget losses in the EU states in connection with avoiding to pay taxes and fees to the tune of over Eur 10 bln.

Signing of the Understanding between the Ministry of Incomes and Fees and OLAF will enable the two sides to more effectively reveal and investigate cases of illegal transportation of tobacco goods.