The European Commission announced in its regular monthly package of infringement decisions the legal steps it is taking against member states that fail to meet their obligations under EU law. In April, the Commission is pursuing one legal case against Slovakia over discriminatory treatment of EU citizens when refueling vehicles.
On Wednesday, the Commission called on Hungary and Slovakia to end discriminatory treatment of citizens from other EU member states when purchasing fuel. Both countries will receive formal notices pointing out that they introduced discriminatory fuel pricing for drivers of vehicles registered abroad.
According to the Commission’s report, in Slovakia the price of diesel for drivers of vehicles registered outside the country is regulated and set weekly based on fuel price developments in neighboring countries, while drivers of vehicles registered in Slovakia can benefit from lower market prices. This measure was originally adopted for only 30 days but was extended on April 17.
In Hungary, protected fixed prices were introduced for drivers of vehicles with Hungarian license plates, while drivers of vehicles registered abroad must pay higher market prices.
The Commission warned that the measures introduced by Slovakia and Hungary violate the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and several provisions of EU primary and secondary law concerning the single market. These include rules on the free movement of goods, services and workers, equal treatment, road transport services and the freedom of establishment.
In addition, the relevant measures of both governments were not notified before being adopted, which breaches Article 5(1) of the 2015 EU Single Market Transparency Directive. Hungary also introduced a prior authorization system for the export of oil and fuel products, which violates Article 35 of the treaty.
As a first legal step, the Commission is sending formal notices to Hungary and Slovakia. Both countries now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings identified by the EU executive; if the response is unsatisfactory, the Commission may issue a reasoned opinion as the next step in the legal process.
Source: TASR
