(Adds PL statement)
The Opposition said this afternoon it was concerned about the cashflow of households and businesses in Malta and Gozo, especially since the country still had among the highest prices of petrol and diesel in the European Union.
Addressing a news conference this afternoon, Enviornment shadow minister Marthese Portelli said the latest figures published by the EU confirmed that Malta had the fourth highest price of diesel and the seventh highest price of petrol among the 28 EU states.
Dr Portelli said that while Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi was concerned about Enemed’s cashflow, the Opposition was deeply concerned about the cashflow of Maltese households and businessesses, which were currently paying among the highest rates for petrol and diesel in the EU.
“Joseph Muscat promised that we would be the best in Europe but it is clear that not only are we not the best, we are among the worst. We are among those countries with the highest fuel prices, Dr Portelli said.
She pointed out there were countries whose petrol was 38c cheaper per litre and others whose diesel prices were 30c cheaper.
She said that, for the sake of transparency, the Prime Minister should announce reductions in fuel prices with immediate effect.
GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTING POLICY OF PRICE STABILITY - PL
In a reply, the Labour Party said it was clear that in spite of official statistics issued week after week showing the volatility of fuel prices, the Opposition continued to insist on a policy of instability.
This was the policy followed by Nationalist governments when fuel prices used to go up monthly to the detriment of families and businesses who were unable to plan.
The Labour Party said that while the debate used to be by how much would the fuel prices go up, it was now when and by how much they were going down.
This would not have been possible had this government not implemented a stability policy in the sector, a policy which had already led to a reduction in the price of petrol seven times and five times in that of diesel.