Brussels, 16/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 14 March, in Berlin, France and Germany signed a cooperation agreement within the framework of the Franco-German council to fight more effectively against the impunity of certain foreign drivers. The agreement will allow the French authorities to consult the German registration files to identify drivers of vehicles registered in Germany that have committed road offences on French territory but have not been caught. This will allow French authorities to fine such persons. The German authorities will naturally have the possibility to do the same against French drivers who have committed driving offences on German territory. The agreement will take effect once ratified by the national parliaments of both countries. In a second stage, France considers it will be necessary to complete the provision set in place with an integrated system for forced recovery of fines should those receiving the fine refuse to pay, a press release from the French Ministry of Transport reads. Similar agreements are on the negotiating table with other countries bordering on France such as Spain, Belgium and Italy, the press release states. These agreements are a first step towards implementation of a multilateral procedure within the European Union, on which the European Commission is working (see EUROPE 9137 and 9135).