Slovakia maintains two-tier fuel pricing despite EU pressure

Slovakia has refused to cancel a system of higher fuel prices for foreign-registered vehicles, rejecting a demand from the European Commission to end what Brussels has described as discriminatory measures.

According to DPA, the pricing policy has been in force for 30 days since March 18, introduced in response to a sharp rise in oil prices linked to the conflict in Iran. The government said the measure is intended to prevent large-scale fuel purchases by drivers from neighbouring European Union countries seeking lower prices.

Under the policy, diesel and gasoline are sold at higher prices to vehicles with foreign license plates, while domestic drivers pay less. Slovak authorities stressed that current fuel supplies are being maintained using state reserves.

A European Commission spokesperson criticised the measures as “highly discriminatory,” while Prime Minister Robert Fico said Brussels had threatened legal action. He rejected the demand to отменить the policy as “absolutely unfair” and indicated that the government may extend the restrictions.

Fico also urged the European Commission to pressure Ukraine to resume the transit of Russian oil, arguing that such a step would remove the need for the current restrictions.

Slovakia has been granted an exemption from European Union sanctions, allowing it to continue importing Russian oil in order to address supply shortages.

By Tamilla Hasanova