The Italian government plans to keep a windfall tax on energy companies despite the drop in oil and electricity prices, said Industry minister Claudio Scajola Wednesday.

Scajola said, however, he is open to discuss the matter.

The reason for the tax is not "an act of an unjustified aggressiveness, but is the consequence of a logic of social solidarity," said Scajola at the Italian Oil Association annual meeting in Rome.

"However, we are open to a constructive dialogue on this issue," he added.

The minister also told oil companies they must reduce the country's gasoline price to be in line with the European Union average.

--Liam Moloney, Dow Jones Newswires; +39 06 6976 6920; liam.moloney@dowjones.com
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