Press Release: Competition: Commission threatens Malta with Court action over import monopoly for petroleum products

The European Commission has decided to refer Malta to the European Court of Justice if within three months the adjustment of its monopoly for the importation, storage and wholesale of petroleum products is not completed. Under the Accession Treaty, Malta was required to adjust its legislation by 31 December 2005, but, despite some progress following the Commission's reasoned opinion in June 2007, Malta has still not completed the adjustment process. In particular the process of putting in place an open and non-discriminatory licensing regime does not yet appear to be complete.