Europees overleg inzake brandstof-accijnzen na scherpe stijging olieprijzen (en)

European Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia has admitted concern about oil prices, which hit record highs last week.

He agreed on Monday (23 August) with Germany that EU states should not take unilateral tax measures to prevent the impact of high oil prices on consumers, Reuters reported.

As crude oil prices peaked at $49.40 per barrel on Friday (20 August), the issue of tax cuts re-surfaced in Europe, in particular in Italy.

"No country should take unilateral action," Mr Almunia however told reporters in Brussels.

EU finance ministers in June agreed to consult each other before cutting energy taxes to avoid a re-run of unilateral action as in 2000 when a French cut in diesel fuel taxes sparked blockades and disruptions in neighbouring countries.

A spokesman for the Dutch finance ministry - the Netherlands currently holds the EU presidency - which will organise an informal meeting of EU finance ministers next month in the Hague, said to Reuters that oil prices were not officially on the agenda. But he added: "I am sure it will be discussed at the meeting".

Mr Almunia earlier has said he would not be surprised if EU finance ministers discussed the topic on 10-11 September.