Commission still awaiting information from Malta

Seven months after officially complaining to the European Commission about the introduction in Malta of the electricity surcharge, the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU has still not been given an answer from Brussels.

The reason is that the Commission is still awaiting additional information from the Maltese authorities. Speaking to The Times, Commission sources said an official letter was sent two months ago asking the government for additional information and clarification on the GRTU's complaint. The letter included a detailed questionnaire.

"Until today we have not yet received an answer. Malta is one month late on this as they had to send us their answers by last month," the sources said. The issue was mentioned again last week when during a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, GRTU officials urged Labour MEPs to exert pressure on the European Commission to take a decision over its official complaint on the water and electricity surcharge.

According to the GRTU, the surcharge breaches EU directives.

In its complaint last October, the GRTU told the Commission that it was not satisfied that the rights of SMEs were protected under the Electricity Directive and requested a Cease and Desist Order against the imposition of new electricity tariffs and any other energy charges until the authorities abide fully by their "responsibilities" under EU directives.

The GRTU also expressed its concern at the lack of transparency exercised by Enemalta in the formulation of the proposed new electrical tariffs and its fuel purchasing policies and said that it deeply regretted that the Malta Resources Authority appeared to have "abdicated" its responsibilities.