Local fuel prices below EU average - government

The government said this evening that the new fuel prices reflected increases in International prices, but they were still below the EU average.

“All our fuels are imported an the retail price in Malta is therefore a consequence of prices fetched abroad,” the government said in a statement.

It said that local prices of unleaded petrol, diesel and heating oil were actually lower than the average in the European Union as of December 15.

The highest priced unleaded petrol was at €1.58 in Greece and the Netherlands while the highest prices diesel was in the UK at €1.50 per litre.

Unleaded petrol costs €1.31 in Malta, compared to €1.479 in Italy.

Diesel is €1.21 in Malta and €1.357 in Italy.

The government said that rather than subsidising fuels, it was investing in job creation, social benefits, health and education.

It said the Opposition was again being superficial in its criticism and ignoring economic realities.

In wanting the government to subsidize fuel prices, the Opposition wanted the government to reduce its investment in other sectors. That was what other countries had done, with disastrous consequences.

It pointed out that when it was in government, the Labour Party had already started to introduce payments of health services and loans to students.