EC/Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia FYROM agreement: ecopoints to be applied to transit traffic through Austria

PURPOSE : the conclusion of an agreement between the EC and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on the system of ecopoints to be applied to transit traffic. CONTENT : the Agreement between the EC and FYROM in the field of transport establishes that a system of ecopoints, equivalent to that applicable to EC heavy goods vehicles in transit through Austria, will apply to transit traffic of FYROM though Austria, with effect from 1 January 1999. It was subsequently agreed that the ecopoints system would be implemented from 1 January 2002. However, the total number of ecopoints allocated to the FYROM lorries for 1999, 2000 and 2001 is also agreed in order to ensure that the annual percentage reduction is made in line with those applied to Community lorries. On this basis, the functioning of the regime applied between Austria and the FYROM was examined by the Joint Transport Committee established by the Transport Agreement and no discriminatory effects were identified. The Agreement establishes the number of ecopoints allocated to trucks of the FYROM for the period 1999-2003 on the basis of the "no less favourable treatment for Community heavy goods vehicles" principle. It also provides for appropriate documents, rules of procedure and methods of control for managing the system.�