Ireland is set to begin the recovery of up to €13 billion worth of back taxes from Apple Inc., Reuters reported.

"We do not want to be in the situation where the Irish government has to take Apple to court because the European Commission is taking the Irish government to court. I think that message is understood and I'd anticipate progress in the coming weeks," Ireland Prime Minister Leo Varadkar reportedly said.

In August 2016, the European Commission ruled that tax benefits to Apple in Ireland are illegal under EU state aid rules. It said the "selective treatment" allowed Apple to pay an effective tax rate of 1% on its European profits, paying substantially less than other businesses. The ruling ordered Ireland to recover back taxes plus interest worth up to €13 billion from the iPhone maker.

Both Apple and the Irish government are appealing the ruling.