Fuel prices in Slovakia should be roughly at the same level as those in the other Visegrad Four (V4) countries [the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland] in the coming weeks and significantly cheaper than in Austria, stated Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) after the government's meeting with representatives of the Slovnaft refinery on Tuesday.
"We want to be at a comparable level within the V4, and as far as Austria is concerned, we want to be cheaper," said Fico, adding that this is currently the case.
However, lower fuel prices are also starting to cause problems, he noted. "Today, Slovnaft representatives warned us of a situation in some northern districts of Slovakia, where, due to diesel being significantly cheaper than in Poland, mass purchases have been reported, and not just into fuel tanks," said Fico.
According to the Prime Minister, the government has agreed with Slovnaft that any refuelling limits will remain at the discretion of retailers. However, the government might consider adopting a regulation to introduce higher diesel prices for foreign drivers.
"Foreigners will have to buy diesel at a price that may correspond to the one in their home country; in other words, there will be a completely different price. We can do that. The applicable legislation allows us to do so, and legal experts are now assessing whether we'll adopt such a regulation," added Fico.
Opposition leaders have criticised the Prime Minister's proposed measure to introduce dual fuel pricing for domestic and foreign motorists as inadequate and difficult to implement under European Union (EU) rules.
MP Veronika Remišová (Slovakia – Za ludi) stated that, in her view, the government doesn't have fuel prices under control. Instead of coming up with systemic solutions, the government is offering only an agreement with the Slovnaft refinery, which she claims is "profiteering from Slovakia's strategic oil reserves".
She also described the proposal to restrict refuelling for drivers from other EU countries as problematic, noting that such a measure could be in conflict with the principles of the free market.
PS MP Ivan Štefunko slammed the government's approach as short-term and uncoordinated, warning that Hungary faced a reaction from the European Commission for similar measures in the past, which even proved unsustainable in the long term. Štefunko added that PS would instead push for a stricter legislative approach toward Slovnaft's profits and for a temporary reduction in value-added tax or excise duty.
Source: TASR
