European Union Finance Ministers are to meet today in an attempt to reach agreement on common energy tax levels on oil, coal, gas and electricity products.
The EU's energy tax directive has been on the negotiating table since 1997, but the 15 member states have thus far been unable to reach an agreement, with disputes over exemptions for truckers, domestic users and energy intensive industries holding up progress on the issue.
Although it is hoped that agreement will be reached at today's meeting, the European Commission on Monday stressed that difficulties still remain. A Reuters report bore this assertion out, revealing that Italy is arguing that its road hauliers should benefit fully from tax breaks on diesel until the end of 2004.
'Its a question of free movement of goods,' an unnamed Italian diplomat told Reuters yesterday.'Italy is in a difficult situation as it is surrounded by mountain chains. The tax breaks are just a way to compensate Italian truck drivers for the difficulties they face when they travel across the Alps.'
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