Macek said that the government had already responded to the rise in prices asking the national oil company Ina to use its domestic reserves, and added that in the current situation there was no need for cutting excise duties.
There is no need now to change excise duties. The government, however, has already prepared mechanisms which it will activate so as to protect both Ina and consumers in case the price of oil goes up again, the spokesman said.
He added that the government and the economy ministry were permanently in touch with managers of Ina, and that through the balance of prices, reached by the use of Ina's internal reserves, the prices are within acceptable boundaries which must not affect the living standards of citizens or the economy.
According to Macek, the Ivo Sanader cabinet is following the trends in oil price on the global market.
On Tuesday, the retail prices of all types of petrol and diesel went up between 1.7 percent and 4.1 percent, while the price of heating oil went up by 2.7 percent.
The new prices will be in force over the next two weeks.
The price of Super 98 petrol with led rose from 8.05 to 8.30 kuna per litre. Unleaded Eurosuper 95 costs 7.98 instead of 7.85 kuna. The price of Super 95 rose from 7.70 to 7.93 kuna, the price of Super plus 98 went up from 7.98 to 8.25 kuna, while the price of blue Eurodiesel rose to 4.28 kuna per litre. The price of diesel grew from 6.96 to 7.11 kuna and the price of Eurodiesel rose from 7.14 to 7.29 kuna. The price of extra light heating oil went up from 4.40 to 4.52 kuna.
According to figures released by Ina, the sale of Eurosuper 95 makes up 23 percent of the company's total sales, while the share of Eurodiesel is 27 percent.
Earlier this summer Economy Minister Branko Vukelic said that the government would intervene in case the price of petrol went over eight kuna per litre.