16/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - Eurogas calls on EU to act on Hungarian tax. The gas lobby, Eurogas, which brings together European national gas associations and companies, is urging the EU to ensure that Hungary, and to a lesser extent Romania and Slovakia, stop imposing unfair taxes and taking decisions that could undermine calls made by states for international investment and energy security. In a letter addressed to Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger and the energy ministers of countries concerned, Eurogas calls on the European Commission to ensure that Budapest, Bucharest and Bratislava apply the rules equitably and transparently. The letter does not cite any decision in particular but sources familiar with the issue indicate that Eurogas wishes to levy a temporary tax on the energy sector, created by Hungary to improve its public finances by 2012, as well as a freeze on energy distribution tariffs. The Commission does not wish to comment at this stage. (E.H./transl.jl)