28/03/2022 (Agence Europe) – While in Bucharest, the European Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, suggested on Monday 28 March that “derogations to the rules on energy taxation” could be made in view of the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the EU economy, during a press conference with Adrian Câciu, the Romanian Minister of Public Finance (see EUROPE 12903/23). Member States have, he said, already reacted to rising electricity and fuel costs, amounting to 0.5% of total EU GDP. Mr Gentiloni described these measures as “legitimate and right to do”, especially for the most vulnerable households. “We have to keep coordination. My services will come in the next few weeks with further guidance on what kind of derogations to the rules that we have on energy taxation that could be allowed temporary in this difficult situation”, he said. (AD)