MIMICA: INTRODUCTION OF EXCISE TAXES ISN'T CONTRARY TO SAA

ZAGREB, Nov 22 (Hina) - The introduction of excise duties for car imports is not contrary to Croatia's Agreement on Stabilisation and Association (SAA) with the European Union, Croatian European Integration Minister Neven Mimica said on Thursday. "The introduction of excise taxes is not contrary to the SAA, because the Agreement does not refer to the tax policy," Mimica said before the start of today's government session, at which the government is expected to formulate a final draft bill on the ratification of the SAA and the Interim Agreement and a bill on the implementation of the two documents. Under Article 33 of the SAA, which has been included in the Interim Agreement, the going into force of the Interim Agreement will not mean the introduction of new export or import customs duties nor will the existing ones be increased. According to Mimica, excise taxes cannot be treated as taxes with special effect. The introduction of excise taxes will not be discriminatory against products from the European Union, because they will apply to products from other markets as well, he said. (hina) rml