Brussels, 22/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decided to refer Greece to the Court of Justice from failure to provide breakdown assistance by foreign insurers on the Greek territory. Several insurers from other Member States have, in fact, complained of not being able to provide breakdown assistance in Greece, because it is banned for them to rent the services of local operators. The national legislation is such that the only possibility left to them consists of using their own vehicles. According to the Commission, this option is not viable, on the commercial level, for foreign companies and forms an infringement not only to Community legislation in terms of insurance, but also on provisions of the European Union Treaty concerning the freedom of establishment and to provide services.
A motivated opinion (second stage in the infringement proceedings, foreseen under Article 226 of the Treaty) had already been sent, end of July 2000, to the Greek authorities, but they have not answered.