Government Scraps Restrictions on Diesel Sale, as Well as Its Dual Pricing

Bratislava, 6 May (TASR) - A limit of 10 litres when filling diesel into portable containers and different fuel prices for domestic and foreign cars will no longer apply as of Friday (8 May), Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) announced following the government session on Wednesday. According to Sakova, this decision removes the grounds for infringement proceedings against Slovakia initiated by the European Commission over dual fuel pricing. The minister also defended the current fuel prices at Slovak petrol stations, comparing them with neighbouring countries. "The average price of diesel in Slovakia is some €1.86 per litre, while petrol costs €1.79," said Sakova. In the Czech Republic, diesel is 3 cents cheaper, while petrol is 3 cents more expensive. "If measures had not been adopted by the Finance Ministry in the Czech Republic, both to reduce excise duty and to reduce value-added tax (VAT) on fuels, then the price of diesel in the Czech Republic would be higher than in Slovakia, at €1.945 per litre," noted Sakova. The diesel price in Poland is €1.72 per litre and petrol costs €1.53 per litre. Without measures taken by the Polish government, such as reductions in VAT and excise tax, the prices would have been significantly higher and would have exceeded €2, stated the minister. She said that Slovakia isn't planning to reduce taxes on fuels and is relying on communication and cooperation with the Slovnaft refinery. The government can guarantee that fuel prices in Slovakia won't differ too much from those in the Czech Republic. ko/mcs