Council Directive 73/240/EEC of 24 July 1973 abolishing restrictions on freedom of establishment in the business of direct insurance other than life assurance

Council Directive
of 24 July 1973
abolishing restrictions on freedom of establishment in the business of direct insurance other than life assurance
(73/240/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 54 (2) and (3) thereof;
Having regard to the General Programme [1] for the abolition of restrictions on freedom of establishment, and in particular Title IV C thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament [2];
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee [3];
Whereas the General Programme referred to above provides for the abolition of all discriminatory treatment of the nationals of the other Member States as regards establishment in the business of direct insurance other than life assurance;
Whereas, in accordance with this General Programme, the lifting of restrictions on the setting-up of agencies and branches is, as regards direct insurance undertakings, dependent upon the coordination of conditions of taking up and pursuit of the business; whereas this coordination has been achieved for direct insurance other than life assurance, by the first Council Directive of 24 July 1973;
Whereas the scope of this Directive is in all respects the same as that defined in item A of the Annex to the first Directive on coordination; whereas it appeared reasonable in the circumstances to exclude, for purposes of coordination, credit-insurance for exports;
Whereas, in accordance with the General Programme referred to above, the restrictions on the right to join professional organizations must be abolished where the professional activities of the persons concerned involve the exercise of this right;