BRUSSELS, March 24 (Reuters) – The decision by Slovakia’s government this month to approve a resolution allowing service stations to limit diesel sales, and ​also set higher prices for cars with foreign ‌plates, go against European Union law, said a Commission spokesperson on Tuesday.

“We take note that the Slovak government has adopted a measure imposing, ​a 30 day restriction on diesel refuelling in Slovakia ​as well as introducing differentiated pricing for domestic and ⁠foreign vehicles. And that includes higher prices for vehicles with ​foreign licence plates,” said the spokesperson at a news conference.

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“We ​consider that this measure is highly discriminatory and against EU Law and while we understand the need to support citizens, and at this time ​in particular, measures must not discriminate between nationality, nor should ​they undermine the integrity of our single market, we will take the ‌appropriate ⁠legal action to ensure compliance with this,” added the spokesperson.

Slovakia has sought to secure supplies as global energy prices have surged due to the Iran war, and as the country’s Russian ​crude deliveries through ​the Druzhba ⁠pipeline have been interrupted due to damage to the line in Ukraine.

Under Slovakia’s new resolution, ​fuel pumps can limit diesel sales to a ​full tank ⁠and up to 10 additional litres.

Exports will also be limited, and prices of diesel for foreign-registered cars can be set differently, ⁠based ​on the average of prices in ​neighbouring Czech Republic, Austria and Poland.

The measures will be valid for 30 days ​and do not concern gasoline.

Reporting by Inti Landauro;
Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta

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