Brussels, 14/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to bring Sweden before the Court of Justice with regard to alcohol imports. It feels that Sweden is creating obstacles to the free circulation of alcohol by obliging Swedish residents to go through the national monopoly, Systembolaget, to buy imports of alcohol. In principle, the importation of wines and spirits has been free for personal consumption since Sweden joined the EU. In practice, however, Swedes can only import these goods personally, and are not allowed to use independent third parties to import alcohol, even if they cover the taxes. The Commission feels that this is out of all proportion to the public health objective of the measure.