Fuel prices will return to normal shortly, as the world calms down and it becomes clear that the effect of the sanctions imposed on Lukoil and Rosneft does not create market disruptions, believes the president of the Competition Council, Bogdan Chiritoiu.
"Fuel prices... we have indeed seen that wholesale prices have increased in Europe at the moment, probably related to the introduction of sanctions, which, yes, has created a certain disturbance, unrest in the market. We indeed see that wholesale prices for petrol and diesel, the so-called Platts quotes, have increased. At the same time, we see that the barrel has not increased, so on the oil market, which is the raw material, the one that ultimately determines the prices. That is why my expectation is that in a very short period of time prices will return to normal. As long as the price of the raw material, oil, remains in the 60-65 dollar range, there is no reason for these petrol and diesel quotes to increase. If the world calms down, it will be seen that the effect of the sanctions does not create a market disruption", Chiritoiu said on the sidelines of the conference "The evolution of competition in key sectors under the impact of the energy transition and digitalization".
He said that the Romanian state would take measures following the imposition of these sanctions and will ensure the continued functioning of these economic operations.
In another matter, Bogdan Chiritoiu stated that, in the case of both Lukoil and Carrefour, no notifications were received regarding the sale of assets.
"Just as we did not receive notifications from Lukoil, we didn't receive notifications from Carrefour either. I saw the information in the press. When Carrefour decides to sell to company A or company B, that company will notify us. As long as there are only offers that are sent to Carrefour, they don't have to notify us. Only when Carrefour says that it accepts the offer of one or the other will they reach the notification. Again, it depends on who is buying. It may be a national or European transaction, but generally in the food trade the Commission gives it to us. For example, Mega Image with Profi was initially notified to the European Commission, but at our request the Commission gave it to us. So. if it comes to selling Carrefour, I expect the same situation to be the case, to reach a national transaction", he explained.
As for the Lukoil case, it will necessarily go to the Foreign Direct Investment Review Commission.
"Lukoil will necessarily go through the Foreign Investment Commission and it depends on who would take over. It is either with us or with the European Commission. If it is a transaction that will target all Lukoil assets, then it is probably the responsibility of the European Commission. If they are broken up, if some assets in Romania are sold separately from assets in Bulgaria or other countries, then there may be an approval at the national level. Anyway, we will be in dialogue with the European Commission, but at the moment there is no notification. We have not received... With us, the one who has reached an agreement to buy, comes and notifies. We have not reached this stage", added Chiritoiu.
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