From tomorrow, gasoline will decrease by 99 lipa, and diesel by 54 lipa per liter

The government announced new fuel prices after a telephone session, stating that gasoline will decrease by 99 lipa from tomorrow, and diesel by 54 lipa per liter.

Basic gasoline will be sold for 12.03 kuna per liter from tomorrow, and diesel for 12.89 kuna. Blue diesel will cost 9.25 kuna per liter.

If the government had not reacted, gasoline would cost 13.96 kuna, diesel 15.24 kuna, and blue diesel 10.15 kuna per liter, according to the government.

Currently, gasoline is sold for 13.02 kuna, and diesel for 13.43 kuna per liter. These prices were fixed by the government two weeks ago and are valid until tomorrow.

"When we saw the price movements in the Mediterranean market, where the price of derivatives fell last week, we decided to react promptly, all in the interest of protecting the standard of Croatian citizens and the economy," said Filipović, adding that the trading margin will remain 65 lipa, the reduction of excise duties on gasoline will remain 80 lipa, and on diesel 40 lipa.

The government’s goal is for citizens to pay for petroleum derivatives cheaper than if the price were left to adjust every two weeks, the minister said, adding that it never occurred to the government to return excise duties to old values or increase the trading margin.

Regarding the filling of the underground storage facility Okoli with gas, Filipović emphasized that everything is proceeding according to the planned dynamics and that by the end of today, the filling will reach 48 percent.

Commenting on the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers on Tuesday in Brussels, he said that the Ukrainian Minister of Energy will participate in it and expressed hope that a compromise agreement will be reached regarding the proposed regulation concerning the reduction of gas demand and consumption in the EU in the upcoming period.

When asked about Croatia’s stance on energy savings, Filipović said that Croatia has thoroughly analyzed the EC guidelines and that it can fit into the proposed savings measures at a level of 15 percent gas savings compared to the five-year average. When asked whether employers in Croatia might protest against these consumption restrictions, he reminded that the government is preparing a plan to assist the Croatian economy and citizens, which should be presented in the fall.

"In discussions with members of the crisis team this morning and other energy experts regarding the 15 percent gas savings for Croatia, none of them say that this is something unattainable or that it would have an adverse impact on the Croatian economy," Filipović stated.

When asked whether the package would relate only to energy sources or to overall inflation, he said it would be a comprehensive package aimed at helping citizens and the economy. "The goal will be to alleviate this difficult situation in which our citizens find themselves," emphasized the minister.

When asked if it is possible to limit the prices of basic foodstuffs, as Hungary has done, he said that all options are on the table, but more will be known only with the aforementioned autumn package of measures.

He announced that the government will present a set of recommendations and guidelines regarding energy savings for the state, the public sector, and citizens at its meeting on Thursday. Recommendations will be made regarding changing the behavior of some citizens and employees. He added that reducing heating by one degree leads to a savings of five percent over the entire year.