Finance Minister Adrian Caciu said on Wednesday that in a few days, Romania will receive an answer from the European Commission on whether the energy solidarity tax will also be applied to OMV Petrom, after the company said it was not obliged to pay it, indicating that everyone will jointly pay for this increased cost of living.

“The government has also introduced this level 3, joint and several contribution, taking on everything that is written in the regulation, including the elements that I see that raise a number of elements of interpretation, namely the reference to at least 75% of the turnover to certain sectors. The aim is that those who have received exceptional profits and income from the energy sector will collectively offset the rise in the cost of living for both citizens and companies, a point that Europe has also recognised. Romania has taken these steps since January 2022,” Adrian Caciu said.

He clarified that the interpretation of this solidarity contribution was requested from the European Commission.

“In order to avoid confusion in the interpretation of both the regulation and the regulation, we asked the European Commission to draw up a rule of interpretation of this article, especially with regard to the definitions of article 2 of the regulation, and we made this request on the basis of paragraph 66 of the preamble, which states that if there are uncertainties in the implementation of what constitutes a joint contribution, member states can ask the European Commission for an interpretation of the rule,” the Minister of Finance wrote.

He also explained why this clarification was not made earlier.

“Prior to the adoption of the resolution, the consultations with the Commission were about the complementarity of the actions of the Government in the sense that what is already established should not be excluded if you introduce a new solidarity contribution, because it is also aimed at different types of income. Some of it is excess revenue and we have a contribution to the energy transition fund, and some is excess income tax from which certain expenses are deducted. And the Commission’s response was that they complement each other and can work together,” said Adrian Cachiu.

Asked if he was sure there was no way OMV Petrom wouldn’t fall into this turnover, the finance minister said: “I’m very sure.”

He clarified that the answer from the European Commission in this regard will come in a few days.

“One of these days, I think, the answer from the Commission will be received. We had a series of informal meetings. And the Commission is put in a situation of dynamics and adaptation, because there are new things that happen in a somewhat exceptional way, and when regulations are developed, including at the level of the European Parliament, by the Commission, everything is done quickly, which even Europe has not faced, requires clarification, interpretation, so that everyone pays jointly for this increased cost of living,” Adrian Cachiu also stated.

(source: News.ro)