MEP Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE) has asked the European Commission to detail how combating illicit trade contributes to economic resilience, market integrity and rule-of-law reforms in EU candidate and partner countries, and what specific measures are being taken to strengthen customs cooperation and enforcement capacity in those states.
The written question, submitted on 17 June 2026, targets the intersection of two Commission priorities: the fight against illicit trade — which the MEP notes undermines fair competition, public revenue and institutional effectiveness — and the EU enlargement agenda, particularly regarding Ukraine and other candidate countries. Zdechovský frames stronger customs cooperation and market transparency as essential for economic integration and governance reforms.
The question contains three concrete asks. First, the MEP requests the Commission's assessment of how anti-illicit trade efforts support economic resilience, market integrity and rule-of-law reforms in candidate and partner countries. Second, he asks what measures the Commission is taking to support those countries in strengthening customs cooperation, enforcement capacity and inter-agency coordination. Third, he inquires how the Commission can further support candidate countries in promoting transparent trade, fair competition and a predictable business environment as part of their integration into the EU single market.
Politically, the question signals that the PPE group sees anti-illicit trade enforcement as a tangible benchmark for enlargement readiness, linking customs modernisation directly to governance and economic reforms. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it shares that framing and what concrete support — financial, technical or legislative — it is prepared to offer candidate countries on this front.
EU candidate countries (notably Ukraine) would benefit from enhanced customs capacity and market transparency, potentially accelerating integration. EU producers in sectors affected by illicit trade (tobacco, alcohol, counterfeits) would gain from reduced unfair competition. Criminal networks face tighter enforcement, a positive for public security. EU taxpayers could see improved revenue collection in candidate markets, though the direct fiscal impact on the EU budget is minor.