The decision to transform the National Euro Changeover Committee into an agency that protects the interests of consumers was a natural step that followed several initiatives taken by NECC in the last two years, the Department of Information said yesterday.

The government welcomed the opposition’s recognition of the decision taken, but said the Malta Labour Party wanted to use this development for political advantage.

Replying to a statement by MLP spokesman Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca, the government said that it placed the consumers’ interests first and foremost, and appealed to the opposition not to use the consumer to take political advantage.