A working group will examine all the proposals concerning the quality and prices of fuels. This will consist of representatives of the National Agency for Energy Regulation, the Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance Agency, experts and persons delegated by citizens who are dissatisfied with the rise in fuel prices. Such a decision was taken in a meeting convened on June 7 at the Ministry of Economy following a protest staged in the central square of Chisinau a day ago, IPN reports, with reference to a press release of the Ministry.
“I suggest setting up a working group that will analyze all the initiatives concerning the setting of fuel prices and the quality of fuels,” said Minister Kiril Gaburici. He called on the citizens to notify the responsible institutions when they identify irregularities.
In the discussions, the representatives of the National Agency for Energy Regulation explained the methodology for forming fuel prices. According to them, the prices are set based on the crude oil prices on international stock exchanges, the currency exchange rates, VAT, excise duties and a specific commercial margin. It was agreed that persons who will be fielded by the protesters will do the own calculations based on the data provided by the Agency and will formulate concrete proposals for amending the price formation methodology.
Drivers on June 6 mounted a new protest in the Great National Assembly Square and demanded that the fuel prices should be decreased. Even if the National Agency for Energy Regulation suspended its last decision to raise fuel price ceilings, the drivers consider the prices are anyway exaggerated. The protest lasted till late afternoon.
