THE SLOVAK Environment Ministry wants to sue the European Commission if it will not withdraw its intention to cut Slovakia's carbon dioxide quotas even more, the daily Hospodárske noviny reported.
According to the EC the reason for the decision on carbon dioxide quotas is the changed list of companies in Slovakia. The EC says that over the last few months some firms have stopped doing business here, while other companies have been established.
The result is that, according to the European Commission, Slovakia has a total 180 thousand tonnes of CO2 quotas unused. That is why the quotas should be decreased by this number. Last year the EC set CO2 quotas for Slovakia at 30.5 million tonnes until 2007.
Slovak Environment Minister László Miklós added that the unused quotas were given to companies that needed them the most. The minister said the new adjustment of the quotas is not legally justified. Ivan Mojtík, executive director of Evolution-Menert, also thinks the EC decision does not have a strong legal basis. He agrees with the possible court action.
Last year’s decrease in CO2 quotas for Slovakia caused a loud outcry in Slovak business circles. In October 2004 the European Commission cut Slovakia's previous annual quota of 106.5 megatonnes by 14 percent. The declaration of Slovak companies claimed that this reduction, to a level 20 percent below Slovakia's allowance under the Kyoto Protocol, is discriminatory and would harm the Slovak economy.
Compiled by Marta Ďurianová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
Compiled by Marta Ďurinaová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
