# EUR-Lex - 52004PC0420 - EN

Avis juridique important

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# 52004PC0420

**Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position regarding draft Decision 1/2003 and draft recommendation 1/2003 of the Joint Committee set up under the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus /* COM/2004/0420 final */ **

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Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the Community position regarding draft Decision 1/2003 and draft recommendation 1/2003 of the Joint Committee set up under the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

On 1 January 2003, the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus entered into force between the European Community, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia. [1] The Agreement was also ratified by Bulgaria, Poland and Croatia. It has applied to these countries since 1 March 2003, 1 July 2003 and 1 August 2003 respectively.

[1] OJ L 321, 26.11.2002, p. 11.

Article 23 establishes a Joint Committee responsible for the management and proper application of the Agreement.

The Joint Committee held its first meeting on 6 May 2003 in Brussels.

1. Obligations of the joint committee

The Interbus Agreement imposes various obligations on the Joint Committee. In particular, the Committee is responsible for:

- drawing up, on the basis of the information provided by the Contracting Parties, a list of the authorities responsible for certain tasks provided for under the Agreement;

- amending or adapting the control documents and other models of documents established in the Annexes to the Agreement;

- amending or adapting the Annexes concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches, as well as Annex 1 regarding the conditions applying to road passenger transport operators referred to in Article 4, in order to incorporate the new measures taken by the European Community;

- drawing up, on the basis of the information provided by the Contracting Parties, a list, for information, of all custom duties, taxes and charges referred to in Article 9;

- amending or adapting the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 in order to incorporate the new measures taken by the European Community;

- resolving any dispute which may arise over the implementation and interpretation of this agreement;

- recommending further steps towards the liberalisation of those occasional services still subject to authorisation.

Provision has also been made for the Joint Committee to adopt its rules of procedure.

The Joint Committee may adopt decisions seeking to implement the Interbus Agreement. Pursuant to Article 23(6), these decisions need to be adopted unanimously by the Contracting Parties represented at the Committee meeting. The Joint Committee may also adopt recommendations, notably under Article 24(2)(g) of the Agreement.

2. Community Position regarding draft decision 1/2003 and draft recommendation 1/2003

Article 3 of Council Decision 2002/917/EC of 3 October 2002 on the conclusion of the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus stipulates that the position to be taken by the Community within the Joint Committee should be adopted by the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission. The Council acts by simple majority whenever the decision which the Committee proposes to take relates to the rules of procedure of that Committee.

At the first meeting of the Joint Committee, which was held on 6 May 2003, the representatives of the Contracting Parties and the Member States took the view that the Committee should adopt a decision involving, on the one hand, the adoption of its rules of procedure and, on the other, the adaptation of certain rules of a technical and social nature. It was also felt that the Joint Committee should put forward a recommendation concerning the use of a technical report for coaches and buses.

The Council is invited to approve the Community position relating to the adoption of this decision and the drawing-up of this Joint Committee recommendation.

Draft Decision 1/2003

Firstly, draft Decision 1/2003 seeks to bring about the adoption by the Joint Committee of its rules of procedure in accordance with Article 23 of the Interbus Agreement.

Among other provisions, the rules of procedure include the procedures for convening meetings, appointing the Chairman and laying down the latter's terms of reference. Under the proposed rules of procedure, the terms of reference of the chairman of the Joint Committee are to be exercised by a representative of the European Commission who will also serve as head of the European Community delegation. In this last task, he will be assisted by representatives from the Member States. The Contracting Parties will also nominate one or more representatives plus a head of delegation and, where appropriate, an alternate. Given the number of countries that are Contracting Parties to the Agreement, and that this number is likely to rise following future accessions, the view prevailed at the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 6 May 2003 that it would be very difficult in practice for the chairmanship of the Committee to be held by each contracting country in rotation.

The rules of procedure contain provisions on the organisation and convening of meetings and on procedures for taking decisions and making recommendations.

The languages used at the Committee meetings and for the issuing of documents will be French, English and German, i.e. the three languages in which the Interbus Agreement was deposited in the Archives of the Secretariat General of the Council.

Secondly, this draft Decision seeks, in accordance with Article 24(2)(c) and (e) of the Interbus Agreement, to adapt Annex 2 concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches, as well as the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 of that Agreement in order to incorporate the new measures taken in the European Community.

The opening-up of the passenger transport market under the Interbus Agreement must be accompanied by the adoption by the countries concerned of the Community's technical and social legislation applicable to this sector, and any adaptations made to such legislation. It is necessary to ensure, in a spirit of healthy competition, that all operators - of the Member States and of the Interbus contracting countries - be subject to the same requirements when carrying out their activity. The proposed adaptations will also help to improve safety conditions, in particular the rules on rest periods and driving time, and the technical specifications concerning the construction of buses.

In the case of Bulgaria and Romania, however, a derogation from the adoption of the Community acquis is being proposed with respect to Regulation (EC) No 1360/2002 on the introduction of electronic tachographs, in so far as it is already clear that these two countries will not be in a position to apply these provisions. The granting of special treatment for Bulgaria and Romania is consistent with the views expressed at the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 6 May 2003.

Draft Decision 1/2003

Draft Recommendation 1/2003 seeks to encourage the use by the Member States and the Interbus contracting countries of a technical report for coaches and buses.

New vehicles which are type-approved as from the date of entry into force of the Interbus Agreement in a contracting country and are used for providing international occasional services covered by this Agreement must conform to the technical standards specified in Article 2 of Annex 2. In view of the complexity of these rules and the difficulty of ensuring adequate compliance checks by the competent national authorities, the authorities in the Interbus contracting countries and the Member States are being encouraged to draw up a document attesting to the fact that the buses and coaches registered in their countries meet the technical standards specified in Article 2 of Annex 2 to the Interbus Agreement. Whilst not conferring any additional rights, this document will nevertheless facilitate inspections and hence reduce the time needed for checking vehicles.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the Community position regarding draft Decision 1/2003 and draft recommendation 1/2003 of the Joint Committee set up under the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 2002/917/EC of 3 October 2002 [2] on the conclusion of the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus, and in particular Article 3(2) thereof,

[2] OJ L 321, 26.11.2002, p. 11.

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement") entered into force on 1 January 2003.

(2) Article 23 establishes a Joint Committee responsible for the management and proper application of the Agreement.

(3) Pursuant to Article 23(3), the Committee is required to draw up its rules of procedure.

(4) The Committee is responsible, in accordance with Article 24(2)(c) and (e) for adapting Annex 2 concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches, as well as the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 of the Agreement in order to incorporate the new measures taken in the European Community.

(5) In accordance with Article 24(1), the Joint Committee shall ensure the correct application of the Agreement. To this end, a recommendation should be made advocating the use of a technical report for coaches and buses with a view to facilitating the monitoring of the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of Annex 2 to the Agreement.

(6) The Community is required to adopt a position on the draft Decision and draft recommendation of the Joint Committee.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The position of the European Community within the Joint Committee set up under Article 23 of the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus is based on the attached draft Decision and draft recommendation.

Done at Brussels, [...]

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

Draft Decision No 1/2003

of the Joint Committee established under the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus

of.....

adopting its rules of procedure and adapting, on the one hand, Annex 2 concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches and, on the other, the social provisions referred to in Article 8 of the Agreement

THE JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus, [3] and in particular Articles 23 and 24 thereof,

[3] OJ L 321, 26.11.2002, p. 13.

Whereas:

(1) Under Article 23(3) of the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement"), the Committee is required to draw up its rules of procedure.

(2) The Committee is responsible, in accordance with Article 24(2)(c) and (e) for adapting Annex 2 concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches, as well as the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 of the Agreement in order to incorporate the new measures taken in the European Community.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The rules of procedure of the Joint Committee annexed to this Decision are hereby adopted.

Article 2

Annex 2 to the Agreement concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches as well the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 of that Agreement are hereby adapted in accordance with the accompanying Annex.

Done at Brussels, [...]

The Chairman,

The Secretary,

Rules of procedure of the Joint Committee established under the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus

Article 1 - Name of Joint Committee

The Joint Committee established under Article 23 of the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus shall hereinafter be referred to as "the Committee".

Article 2 - Chairmanship

1. The Committee shall be chaired by a representative of the Commission of the European Communities (hereinafter referred to as "the Commission"), on behalf of the European Community (hereinafter referred to as "the Community").

2. The head of the Community delegation, or where necessary his deputy, shall carry out the duties of the Chairman of the Committee.

3. The Chairman shall direct the work of the Committee.

Article 3 - Delegations

1. The parties for which the Agreement has entered into force (hereinafter referred to as "the parties") shall appoint their representatives on the Committee. The Community delegation shall be made up of representatives of the Commission, assisted by representatives of the Member States.

2. Each party shall appoint the head and, where necessary, deputy head of its delegation.

3. Each party may appoint new representatives on the Committee.The Secretary of the Committee shall be informed forthwith in writing of any such changes.

4. Representatives of the Council of the European Union may take part as observers in the meetings of the Committee. The Chairman, with the agreement of the other heads of delegation, may invite persons who are not members of delegations to attend a meeting of the Committee in order to provide information on specific subjects.

5. At least one week before the meeting, the parties shall notify the Secretary of the Committee of the composition of their delegation.

Article 4 - Secretariat

1. A representative of the Commission shall provide the secretariat for the Committee. The Secretary shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee and shall carry out his duties until a new Secretary is appointed. The Commission shall notify the name and details of its Secretary to the other parties.

2. The Secretary shall be responsible for communication between the delegations, including the transmission of documents, and shall supervise secretarial duties.

Article 5 - Meetings of the Committee

1. The Committee shall meet at the request of at least one party. It shall be convened by the Chairman.

2. The Chairman shall send the notice of the meeting, together with the draft agenda and the meeting documents, to the heads of the other delegations at least 15 working days before the beginning of the meeting.

3. A party may request the Chairman to shorten the periods of notice referred to in paragraph 2 to take account of the urgency of a particular matter.

4. Unless otherwise decided by the heads of delegations, the meetings of the Committee shall not be public.

5. The Committee shall meet in Brussels, unless the parties agree to meet elsewhere.

Article 6 - Agenda

1. The Chairman, assisted by the Secretary, shall draw up the draft agenda for each meeting and shall fix the date and venue of the meeting after consulting the heads of the other delegations. The Chairman shall send the provisional agenda to the other heads of delegation at least 15 working days before the beginning of the meeting. The agenda shall be accompanied by all the necessary working documents.

2. The period of notice laid down in paragraph 1 shall not apply to urgent meetings convened in accordance with Article 5(3).

3. Each party may propose one or more items to be added to the agenda at the latest 24 hours before the beginning of the meeting. Requests to have items added to the agenda shall be sent in writing to the Chairman, indicating the reason therefor.

4. At the beginning of the meeting, the Committee shall adopt the agenda. The Committee may decide to add to the agenda an item which is not contained in the provisional agenda.

Article 7 - Adoption of acts

1. The decisions of the Committee shall be adopted by unanimous vote of the parties represented, in accordance with Article 23(5) and (6) of the Agreement. The recommendations, and in particular those referred to in Article 24(2)(g) of the Agreement, shall be taken by consensus between the delegations of the parties represented. The decisions and recommendations shall bear the title "Decision" or "Recommendation" followed by a serial number, the date of their adoption and an indication of their content.

2. The decisions and recommendations of the Committee shall bear the signature of the Chairman and the Secretary. They shall be sent by the Secretary to the other delegations.

3. Each party may decide to publish any act adopted by the Committee.

4. The acts of the Committee may be adopted by written procedure where this has been agreed by the heads of delegation. The Chairman shall submit the draft act to the other heads of delegation who shall indicate in reply whether or not they accept the draft, whether they propose amendments to the draft or whether they require more time to consider it. If the draft is adopted, the Chairman shall finalise the decision or recommendation in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2.

5. The recommendations and decisions shall be drawn up in English, French and German, these texts being authentic. Each party shall be responsible for the correct translation of recommendations and decisions into its official language or languages. Translation into other Community languages shall be carried out by the Commission.

Article 8 - Minutes

1. The Secretary shall draw up, under the responsibility of the Chairman, draft minutes of each meeting of the Committee within 15 working days following the meeting.

2. The minutes shall, as a general rule, indicate in respect of each item on the agenda:

- details of the documents submitted to the Committee,

- statements which a party has asked to be recorded,

- the decisions taken, recommendations made and conclusions adopted.

3. The draft minutes shall be submitted to the Committee for approval in accordance with the written procedure referred to in Article 7(4). If this procedure is not completed, the minutes shall be adopted by the Committee at its next meeting.

4. Once adopted by the Committee, the minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and the Secretary and kept by the Secretary. A copy shall be sent by the Secretary to the other heads of delegation.

Article 9 - Confidentiality

Notwithstanding the provision on the publication of acts laid down in Article 7(3), the deliberations of the meetings and the documents of the Committee shall be governed by professional secrecy.

Article 10 - Expenses

1. Each party shall bear the expenses it incurs in taking part in the meetings of the Committee.

2. The Committee shall decide on the reimbursement of expenses connected with missions assigned to experts called in by the Chairman in accordance with Article 3(4).

Article 11 - Correspondence

All correspondence with or from the Chairman of the Committee shall be sent to the Secretary of the Committee. The Secretary shall send a copy of all correspondence relating to the Agreement to all delegations.

Article 12 - Languages

1. The languages used in meetings of the Committee shall be English, French and German. There shall be no obligation on the party hosting the meeting to provide interpretation for other languages.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 7 relating to the use of languages for acts of the Committee, the documents of the Committee and all correspondence shall be drawn up in English, French and German.

Adaptation of Annex 2 concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches as well the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 of the Interbus Agreement

The following Community acts are added to the acts listed in Annex 2 to the Interbus agreement: [4]

[4] The updating of the acts takes account of the new measures adopted by the Community up to 31 March 2003

Article 1 of Annex 2

a) Roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers

Commission Directive 1999/52/EC of 26 May 1999 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 96/96/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 142, 5/6/1999, p. 26)

Directive 2000/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 June 2000 on the technical roadside inspection of the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles circulating in the Community (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 203, 10/8/2000, p. 1)

Commission Directive 2001/9/EC of 12 February 2001 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 96/96/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 48, 17/2/2001, p. 18)

Commission Directive 2001/11/EC of 14 February 2001 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 96/96/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers - Functional testing of commercial vehicles' speed limitation device (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 48, 17/2/2001, p. 20)

b) Speed limitation devices

Directive 2002/85/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 November 2002 amending Council Directive 92/6/EEC on the installation and use of speed limitation devices for certain categories of motor vehicles in the Community (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 327, 4/12/2002, p. 8)

c) Maximum dimensions and maximum weights

Directive 2002/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 February 2002 amending Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 67, 9/3/2002, p. 47)

d) Recording equipment in road transport

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1360/2002 of 13 June 2002 adapting for the seventh time to technical progress Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 207, 5/8/2002, p. 1)

Regulation (EC) No 1360/2002 is not applicable to Bulgaria and Romania.

Article 2 of Annex 2

Exhaust emissions

Directive 1999/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 1999 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compression ignition engines for use in vehicles, and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive ignition engines fuelled with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles and amending Council Directive 88/77/EEC (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 44, 16/2/2000, p. 1)

Commission Directive 2001/27/EC of 10 April 2001 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 88/77/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compression-ignition engines for use in vehicles, and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive-ignition engines fuelled with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 107, 18/4/2001, p. 10)

Smoke

Commission Directive 97/20/EC of 18 April 1997 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 72/306/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of pollutants from diesel engines for use in vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 125, 16/5/1997, p. 21)

Noise emissions

Commission Directive 96/20/EC of 27 March 1996 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/157/EEC relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles (Official Journal No L 92, 13/4/1996, p. 23)

Commission Directive 1999/101/EC of 15 December 1999 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/157/EEC relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 334, 28/12/1999, p. 41)

Tyres

Directive 2001/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 amending Council Directive 92/23/EEC relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers and to their fitting (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 211, 4/8/2001, p. 25)

Fuel tank

Council Directive 70/221/EEC of 20 March 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to liquid fuel tanks and rear protective devices for motor vehicles and their trailers (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 76, 6/4/1970, p. 23)

Directive 2000/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 amending Council Directive 70/221/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to liquid fuel tanks and rear underrun protection of motor vehicles and their trailers (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 106, 3/5/2000, p. 7)

Rear-view mirrors

Council Directive 71/127/EEC of 1 March 1971 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the rear-view mirrors of motor vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 68, 22/3/1971, p. 1)

Commission Directive 88/321/EEC of 16 May 1988 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 71/127/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the rear-view mirrors of motor vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 147, 14/6/1988, p. 77)

Safety belts - Installation

Council Directive 77/541/EEC of 28 June 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 220, 29/8/1977, p. 95)

Commission Directive 96/36/EC of 17 June 1996 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 77/541/EEC relating to safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 178, 17/7/1996, p. 15)

Commission Directive 2000/3/EC of 22 February 2000 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 77/541/EEC relating to safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 53, 25/2/2000, p. 1)

Safety belts - Anchorages for safety belts

Council Directive 76/115/EEC of 18 December 1975 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to anchorages for motor-vehicle safety belts (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 24, 30/1/1976, p. 6)

Commission Directive 96/38/EC of 17 June 1996 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 76/115/EEC relating to anchorages for motor-vehicle safety belts (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 187, 26/7/1996, p. 95)

Safety belts - Seats

Council Directive 74/408/EEC of 22 July 1974 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles (strength of seats and of their anchorages) (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 221, 12/8/1974, p. 1)

Commission Directive 96/37/EC of 17 June 1996 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 74/408/EEC relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles (strength of seats and of their anchorages) (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 186, 25/7/1996, p. 28)

Interior construction (prevention of the risk of fire spreading)

Directive 95/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 relating to the burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicle (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 281, 23/11/1995, p. 1)

Interior construction (Emergency exits, access, seating dimension, superstructure resistance, etc.)

Directive 2001/85/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2001 relating to special provisions for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and amending Directives 70/156/EEC and 97/27/EC (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 42, 13/2/2002, p. 1)

Consequently, the table set out in Article 2 of Annex 2 is replaced by the following table:

>TABLE POSITION>

The following Community acts are added to the acts listed in Annex 8 to the Interbus agreement: [5]

[5] The updating of the acts takes account of the new measures adopted by the Community up to 31 March 2003

Directive 2000/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 2000 amending Council Directive 93/104/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time to cover sectors and activities excluded from that Directive (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 195, 1/8/2000 p. 41)

Directive 2002/15/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2002 on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 80, 23/3/2002 p. 35)

Draft recommendation 1/2003

of the Joint Committee set up under the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus

of.....

concerning the use of a technical report for coaches and buses with a view to facilitating the monitoring of the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of Annex 2 of the Agreement

THE JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus, and in particular Articles 23 and 24 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement") entered into force on 1 January 2003.

(2) In accordance with Article 24(1), the Joint Committee shall ensure the correct application of the Agreement. To this end, a recommendation should be made advocating the use of a technical report for coaches and buses with a view to facilitating the monitoring of the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of Annex 2.

Recommends that the Member States and the countries that are Contracting Parties to the Interbus Agreement should use a technical report for coaches and buses subject to the requirements set out in Articles 1 and 2 of Annex 2 of the Agreement, as per the accompanying model.

Done at Brussels,

The Chairman

The Secretary

>TABLE POSITION>

(1) Not applicable to Romania and Bulgaria