. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS/C/W/159/Add.1
17 August 2000
(00-3331)
Council for Trade in Services Original:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Review of Article II Exemptions
Replies to Questions Posed on the Slovak Republic's MFN Exemptions in the
Course of the Review of MFN Exemptions
Addendum
The attached communication has been received from the delegation of the Slovak Republic
with the request that it be circulated to Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
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I. RAILWAY TRANSPORT
A. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 478
The Slovak Republic has concluded bilateral agreements with all neighbouring countries in
the field of railway transport – Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Ukraine.  The Slovak
Republic fulfils its obligations under multilateral international agreements – COTIF, AGC, AGTC.
B. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 479
Taking into account a regional character of the railway transport and its specific technical
conditions, the bilateral agreements contain measures for securing a safe operation of the railway
traffic.  The necessary precondition is a compulsory technical competence requirement.
C. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 480
Taking into account new railway operators, the State has taken a responsibility for further
developments and financing of the railway transport within its transport policy.
D. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO.481
The regional specificity of railway transport m eans historical and traditional links within the
region related to specific technical conditions.
E. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO.482
Transport policy of the Slovak Republic takes into account also environmental effects of the
railway transport.  The policy is focused to pres erve environment and to maintain acceptable living
condition while considering a development of railway infrastructure.S/C/W/159/Add.1
Page 2
F. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY AUSTRALIA NO. 9
See answer to the question of Japan No. 478.
II. ROAD TRANSPORT
A. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 552
The Slovak Republic has concluded bilateral agreements with the following countries:
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Yugoslavia and 16 multilateral agreements to date.
B. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 553
Specific conditions for a road traffic are characterized in bilateral agreements individually.
C. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 554
The bilateral agreements are based on principle of reciprocity and have a regional character.
These agreements are aimed at cooperation in the field personal transport, freight transport, transit and
partially cabotage.
D. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 555
Provision of road transport is limited by a condition of reciprocity and by a regional nature
specific for this mode of transport.  The agreemen ts have been signed with the most of countries to
which a land transports to and from the Slovak Republic are physically feasible.
E. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 556.
With countries with whom the bilateral agreements have been signed, the permits are usually
exchanged on reciprocal basis.  These agreements also contain regulations on the relief from taxes and
fees granted to the contracting party on reciprocal basis.  This relief does not apply to the use of
selected network, bridges and tunnels.
F. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 557
Transport policy of the Slovak Republic takes into account also environmental effect of the
road transport.  The policy is focused to pres erve environment and to maintain acceptable living
condition while considering a development of road infrastructure.
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