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Fico Initiating Meeting on Reducing Excise Tax on Fuels
Sunday 10 January 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, January 10 (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico on Monday wants to meet representatives of employers, local authorities, the Slovnaft refinery, the Association of Transporters (CESMAD Slovakia), the Association of Freight Providers, the National Highway Company (NDS), and the Finance and Transport Ministries to discuss a possible reduction in excise tax on fuels.
Fico views the option of reducing the tax as a way of reducing hauliers' costs, which have risen considerably due to the launch of the electronic road-toll system.
Head of the Government's press department Brano Ondrus told TASR that Fico is re-declaring his interest in meeting the protesting hauliers, but will do so only if they stop the blockade of one of Bratislava's main traffic arteries, which is complicating the life of the people of Bratislava. "Regarding the fact that these hauliers have refused to meet the condition (of stopping the protest), the announced date (Monday, 10 a.m.) is unrealistic," said Ondrus.
The hauliers have been asking to meet Fico since Friday, but have refused to meet his condition. They have made other concessions, however, calling off blockades in other Slovak regions and allowing one lane of Roznavska Street to open to the city's public transport.
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