On Thursday 17 November, the European Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Romania, calling on the country to ensure the full implementation of the 2009 directive on oil stocks.
Directive 2009/119/EC requires the member states to maintain a minimum level of stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products, which must be available at any time to ensure the security of EU supplies of petroleum resources.
The Commission notes that the Romanian legislation in force prevents the oil stocks from being used as collateral, in other words as assets offered to secure a loan, which could make it more difficult for economic operators to fulfil their obligation to hold stocks.
It also holds that Romania has incorrectly transposed the rules concerning the right of economic operators to delegate their obligation to hold stocks and the establishment of emergency procedures in the event of a major supply disruption.
Bucharest now has two months to notify the Commission of the measures it has taken to remedy the situation, or risks being brought before the Court of Justice of the EU. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)