Energy: EU against Hungary for stopping coal and wood exports

(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, 14 LUG - The European Commission has sent a reasoned opinion, the second stage of infringement proceedings, to Hungary, asking the country to ensure that national measures on wood and coal products for the energy sector comply with EU law.
    After declaring a state of emergency due to the energy crisis in July last year, Hungary approved measures to introduce prior notification systems that allow authorities to block the export of energy carriers. The Commission considers the steps equivalent to quantitative restrictions on exports in the internal market, violating Article 35 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU).
    The EU executive also disputes that the Hungarian authorities took these measures after notification without allowing other member states and the Commission to provide feedback, violating the standstill period provided by the Single Market Transparency Directive.
    Moreover, the restriction, which also applies to exports from Hungary to third countries, affects trade with those countries.
    Hungary has two months to take the necessary measures to comply with the reasoned opinion. If it fails to do so, the Commission could decide to refer Hungary to the EU Court of Justice.
    (ANSA).