24/06/2020 (Agence Europe) – As announced (see EUROPE 12512/12), Member States’ Ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) reached a political agreement in principle on Wednesday 24 June on the legislative proposal amending Directive (92/83/EEC) harmonising the structures of excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages. After a blockage by Romania (see EUROPE 12257/1), then Bulgaria and the Czech Republic (see EUROPE 12366/2), unanimous agreement was finally reached on the annual quantitative limit to be set to benefit from an exemption from excise duty or reduced rates of excise duty for ethyl alcohol distilled from fruit by private individuals for personal use. The agreement provides for a maximum limit of 50 litres of alcohol per year and a special regime for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. The text has yet to be formally adopted by the EU Council. (MF)