As part of the EU's goal of reducing gas emissions by 55% by 2030, the European Parliament's Energy Committee voted today to revise the European directive on energy taxation, which will enter into force in 2023.
The revised directive, as proposed by the Commission, introduces higher levels of taxation on polluting fuels, leading to significant increases, which consumers will be required to pay. According to the tax rates proposed by the Commission for motor fuels, there will be an increase of about 40 cents per liter in Cyprus. This proposal is particularly problematic, as, due to the lack of public transport and green transport in Cyprus, People who are dependent on gasoline and diesel for their car will be faced with an unbearable cost, which can not be avoided, as there are no alternative means of transportation.
With initiative of AKEL MEPs, N. Kizilgiurek and G. Georgiou , who is the shadow rapporteur of the report on behalf of the group of the Left, the MEP, L. Christoforou , who participates in the Finance Committee and the MEP, D. Papadaki , which is a member of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament, an amendment was tabled, which ensures that Cyprus can request an exemption from this clause of the directive and apply a lower tax rate (up to 12 times), as it is an island and has not developed public network of public transport, low pollutants.
MEPs N. Kizilgiurek, G. Georgiou, L. Christoforou and D. Papadakis, after intense processes, managed to secure the support of their political groups, with As a result, this amendment was voted in favor today and incorporated into the text of the Energy Committee of the European Parliament. However, it must also be ratified by the Environment Committee, which is the main committee responsible for the report. Once the plenary adopts the position of the European Parliament, negotiations with the Commission and the European Council (trilogy) will begin, until we reach the final text.
It is noted that the report of the Energy Committee of the European Parliament proposes other Significant amendments to the Commission proposal to combat energy poverty and ensure equal access to energy in the context of social policy.
