Diesel price rises in Albania while neighbors keep theirs unchanged; Braçe demands explanations

Socialist MP Erion Braçe has reacted to the rise in diesel prices, raising questions about how the fuel market functions and the structure of taxes and tariffs included in the final price.

Braçe emphasizes that the price of diesel has reached 229 lek per liter, rising by 10 lek since yesterday, while neighboring countries have not taken such a step.

“Diesel at 229 lek is not just a product and a price. It has risen by 10 lek since yesterday! Cent by cent, it’s 2.48 euros! The fact is that none of the countries bordering us changed the price either yesterday or today: Montenegro has a price of 1.87 euros, Kosovo has a price of 1.76–1.85 euros, Macedonia has a price of 1.64 euros. I repeat, these are prices that have not changed yesterday or today! I will certainly ask: What is happening? Especially since Kosovo is supplied by the same sellers that sell to us,” Braçe said.

Braçe addresses two demands to the actors who monitor the market, guarantee competition and determine fiscal policy. First, he asks that the fuel market model be analyzed, raising concern about the concentration of supply and trading activity in few operators. Second, the MP asks for a review of the structure of taxes and tariffs included in the price of diesel.

“Two things I want to say, and I’m saying them to every actor that monitors the market, guarantees free competition and makes fiscal policy: First, for once you must seriously deal with the market model. We have ended up having only one supplier-seller from which the price starts, British Petroleum, expensive; we have ended up having only one port; we have only one agreement, so far unknown, particularly to see how the profit from advance purchases is shared and the risk from them; we have two activities: the first, of storage and daily sale to Albanian companies, and the second, ship-to-ship at sea, in Albanian territory (again an unknown agreement and the sharing of profits again such); so, in the entire trading operation we have only one or two operators! Second, it is time to look at the structure of taxes and tariffs included in the price of diesel, starting with those that have nothing to do with the price, but with taxes and tariffs for which the state has institutions that are paid dearly; starting from the circulation tax, continuing with service tariffs with no connection to the price. It must be done now! You’d have to be without eyes and mind not to see and understand that only from eliminating trade and smuggling with neighbors, much more would be gained than from this price,” Braçe concluded.