Press Release: Competition: Malta opens petroleum products market to competition; infringement procedure closed

The European Commission has closed infringement proceedings against Malta concerning restrictions on the import, storage and wholesale of petroleum products as Malta has now put into place new procedures that allow market participants other than former state monopoly Enemalta to apply for licences. Under the Accession Treaty, Malta was required to adjust its legislation by 1 January 2006. However, this was only achieved after the Commission decided in October 2007 to take Malta to the Court of Justice unless it adjusted its petroleum products regime within three months (see IP/07/1544).