Sutaj Estok: Gov't Holding Negotiations on Reducing Fuel Prices with Slovnaft

Bratislava, 18 May (TASR) - The government is holding negotiations with the Slovnaft refinery on reducing fuel prices to make them competitive, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) announced on Monday, adding that the aim is for Slovakia to once again have the cheapest fuels in the V4, as it did a few weeks ago. "I don't think that reducing excise tax is on the table today, there's very strong pressure from the government on Slovnaft instead. And if Slovnaft approaches this as constructively as it has so far, I believe that people will very soon see the results at petrol stations," said Sutaj Estok. According to him, the Slovak government, through its political pressure, helped to ensure that the Druzhba oil pipeline began operating again, which had a vital effect on Slovnaft and the entire MOL Group. "I believe that Slovnaft representatives will understand that as we helped them by providing fuel loans, now they have to do something about pricing, as the citizens of Slovakia, who are currently paying more for fuels, come first for us," said Sutaj Estok. According to Eurostat data from a week ago, fuel prices including taxes in Slovakia were highest among the V4 (Visegrad Four - Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) countries. Excluding taxes, petrol prices in Slovakia were the lowest in the V4, while diesel prices were lower than in Poland and the Czech Republic. ko/df