IP/09/180

Brussels, 29 January 2009

Free establishment of road transport operators: Commission sends reasoned opinion to Greece

The European Commission today sent a reasoned opinion to Greece for its failure to comply with European rules on freedom of establishment for operators in the road transport sector. This is the last step before a formal complaint is sent to the Court of Justice.

Greece has failed to respect EU legislation by restricting the registration of public use vehicles and private tankers, and by introducing fixed tariffs for transportation services.

The Commission has found that access to road transport activities, in Greece, is being refused to newcomers without considering the individual situation and financial capacity of the applicant undertakings.

Furthermore, the Commission holds that the obligation to charge fixed tariffs dissuades foreign operators from acceding to the road haulage and to the petrol marketing sectors. The Commission also considers that it impedes the ones already established from further developing their business.