The committee supported the initiative of the SD MPs. Boris Mugoša to hold a consultative hearing of the Ministers of Energy and Mining and Finance, Admir Šahmanović and Novica Vuković, on the topic of fuel prices and the supply of petroleum products to the Montenegrin market.
In addition to ministers, representatives of oil companies were also invited.
Minister of Finance Novica Vuković said that the initiative of a group of deputies to improve the law and rigidly prescribe a fixed percentage reduction in excise duties represents a normative duplication of solutions without flexibility.
"I would like to remind you that the reason the Government decided to give a negative opinion on the proposed legal solution is the fact that it has opted for a responsible, flexible and economically based approach that protects the standard of citizens and the economy, ensures a faster reaction to changes in the market while at the same time ensuring the stability of public finances," said Vuković, adding that this is the only way to protect the interests of citizens and the state in the long term.
He also explained that the fixed reduction in excise duties represents both a direct violation of the directives and a questioning of Chapter 16 - Taxes.
"I think the government's reaction was timely," he said, referring to fuel prices.
Šahmanović: Montenegro in the TOP four countries in Europe with the most affordable fuel prices
Šahmanović said that unrest is being created among citizens every day, and that ministers are forced to react to it every day. He pointed out that with the current price of fuel, Montenegro is in the TOP four countries in Europe.
"In the region, only North Macedonia is ahead of us, with reservations for Kosovo, because we do not have information there. Apart from them, Slovakia, Turkey and Bulgaria are ahead of us, and what these countries have in common is that they have access to the oil pipeline," said Šahmanović.
How competitive we are, says Šahmanović, is shown by the fact that we have "diesel tourists", that is, citizens from neighboring countries who come to Montenegro to refuel.
