Move to phase out EEC tolls
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A MEETING of Common Market transport ministers in May will hear proposals from the EEC Commission aimed at limiting the application of tolls on the Community's major international routes.
Specifically, the Commission will propose that in future, there should be no tolls on new links — and that when existing toll systems expire they should not be re-introduced.
Confirmation that these proposals are on the way was given at the April session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg by Transport Commissioner Georgis Kontogeorgis.
Replying to a number of questions from MEPs, Mr Kontogeorgis repeated his view that the whole idea of road tolls is contrary toEEC principles on freedom of movement.
Hinting at why member states might be more prepared to take heed of the Commission's proposals in future, Mr Kontogeorgis pointed out that this year for the first time the Commission had a significant sum in budget to offer as subsidies on road construction.
The Commission was aimed to produce a programme by the end of the year in which it would outline the particular bottlenecks it would like to see eliminated.