|
The European Commission has formally ended proceedings against Slovenia regarding motorway vignettes, having found, on the basis of several analyses, that the Slovenian vignette system is in accordance with the acquis.
The Ministry of Transport has been expecting this decision, as a consensus regarding the vignette system was reached some time ago. Said Transport Minister Patrik Vlačič, “When we decided to change the road toll system and the prices, we were positive that we were acting within the law. The European Commission – despite its initial reservations regarding pricing – has now confirmed that.”
On 1 July 2008, the Republic of Slovenia introduced semi-annual and annual vignettes for vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of 3,500kg for the motorways and expressways operated and maintained by the toll road authority. The cost of the annual vignette for cars was set at €55 (€27.5 for motorcycles), while the cost of the semi-annual vignette was €35 (€17.5 for motorcycles).
Because of the introduction of the vignette system, the European Commission issued a formal notice on 2 October 2008, stating that Slovenia was in breach of Article 12 of the TEC (which prohibits discrimination on grounds of nationality). As a result, Slovenia was unable to obtain €88.3m in EU funds for the construction of the 19.8km motorway between Slivnica and Draženci. According to the EC, the Republic of Slovenia had failed to treat Slovenian and foreign citizens equally, as the latter, despite not being regular users of Slovenian roads, could buy only semi-annual and annual vignettes. Furthermore, the new system reportedly provided neither for proportionate toll collection, nor for the short-term use of the motorway infrastructure. Consequently, this would have put drivers from other member states at a disadvantage, which constitutes indirect discrimination based on nationality, according to the EC.
In an official letter – approved by the previous cabinet on 28 October 2008 – the Republic of Slovenia disputed these claims.
The current Government, which took office on 21 November 2008, immediately adopted an active approach to resolving the issue with the European Commission. On the basis of analyses conducted by an interdepartmental working group, and in view of operational and expert meetings between the EC and Slovenia, the Government decided to introduce short-term vignettes and align their price with that of annual vignettes. Thus the €15 weekly vignette was introduced, while the price of the annual vignette was increased to €95. Slovenia informed the EC accordingly. Now that the EC has withdrawn its complaint against Slovenia, the country will again be able to draw on cohesion funds to expand its motorway network.
Source EU
|
Favoured: 0
