Brussels, 26/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission sent reasoned opinions to Spain and the United Kingdom on Thursday 26 February, calling on them to take steps to fully comply with their obligations on Directive 2009/119/EC on oil stocks. This directive should have been incorporated into national legislation by 31 December 2012.
The directive requires member states to maintain a minimum level of crude oil and/or petroleum products at least equivalent to 90 days' worth of average daily imports or 61 days of net domestic daily consumption, whichever is greater.
The two countries will now have two months to comply, or the Commission may decide to refer them to the Court of Justice.
Infringement proceedings were begun in January 2013 against 17 member states which had failed to fully transpose the oil stocks directive within the time set. Since then, the Commission has closed eleven proceedings, the countries involved having met their transposition obligation. The Commission is currently examining the situation in the other member states. (Emmanuel Hagry)