Consumers must be placed at the centre of any reconstruction process as main factors for a sustainable recovery, thus strengthening the competitiveness of the EU economy and the single market, said the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry Marios Panayides, speaking at the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Consumer Affairs held in Prague on 23 September, in the context of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).
According to an announcement by the Ministry, the Summit dealt with the strengthening of the legislative framework for consumer protection at the cross-border level, the emerging challenges for consumer protection as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the initiative to amend the legislation on organised travel tours.
In relation to the legislation on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for the consumers, Panayides stressed the need for a consultation process aimed at revising the way the institution operates, to achieve efficiency in the way disputes are resolved.
Concerning problems in the supply chain as a result of the pandemic, combined with the continued increases in fuel and electricity prices , Panayides referred to the measures taken by the Cypriot Government to support consumers and especially vulnerable groups, with an emphasis on energy price increases.
Finally, he referred to the importance of the initiative to amend the Package Travel Directive, as the unprecedented situation faced during the Covid-19 pandemic raised issues that could not have been foreseen at the time the directive was drafted.
Source: Cyprus News Agency