33As regards specifically the principle of proportionality, the Court has held that, in accordance with that principle, Member States must employ means which, whilst enabling them effectively to attain the objectives pursued by their domestic laws, cause the least possible detriment to the objectives and principles laid down by the relevant EU legislation. Therefore, while it is legitimate for the measures adopted by the Member States to seek to preserve the rights of the public exchequer as effectively as possible, they must not go further than is necessary for that purpose (judgment of 21 December 2011, Vlaamse Oliemaatschappij, C‑499/10, EU:C:2011:871, paragraphs 21 and 22 and the case-law cited).
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