European Parliament
President.
Question No 44 will be answered in writing.
Questions to Commissioner Monti
Question No 45 by Jonas Sjöstedt 
Subject: The future of the Swedish State monopoly on the sale of alcoholic beverages Systembolaget
In the spring of 2004, Advocate-General Phillipe Leger of the Court of Justice declared the Swedish State monopoly on pharmacies to be contrary to EU competition principles. Final judgment in the Hanner case is expected during the year but, usually, the Court of Justice adheres to the opinion of the Advocate-General.
In the light of this opinion concerning pharmacies, what is the Commission's view of the future for the Swedish State monopoly on the sale of alcoholic beverages, Systembolaget?

