W German tax
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PROPOSALS by the West German authorities to introduce a road tax payable by drivers from other countries using German motorways are to be opposed by the EEC Commission.
The idea behind the tax is to remove some of the burden of motorway upkeep from the shoulders of the German taxpayer. Initially, the charges would only be levied on drivers from countries where motorway tolls are already levied.
Commenting on the proposals, EEC Transport Commissioner Georges Kontogeorgis said that the Commission was pledged to the removal of all motorway tolls throughout the Community. The only exceptions would be "very expensive stretches of road or specific facilities, for example, tunnels."
Any move by member states to merge toll motorways into the total road network would be welcomed by the Common Market authorities. Conversely, any "unilateral moves in the opposite direction" would come up against Commission opposition.
Commissioner Kontogeorgis would especially regret any moves to introduce a charging system which could cause holdups at frontiers and possible discrimination against drivers from individual member countries.