Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 71 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee^f1,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty^f2,

Whereas:

Council Directive 76/135/EEC of 20 January 1976 on reciprocal recognition of navigability licences for inland waterway vessels^f3 has been substantially amended^f4. In the interests of clarity and rationality that Directive should be codified.

Reciprocal recognition of navigability licences for inland waterway vessels should be achieved with a view to improving the safety of inland navigation in the Community.

It is necessary to establish under what circumstances and on what conditions Member States may interrupt the passage of a vessel.

It is necessary that the measures provided for in this Directive apply to those vessels which are not covered by Directive 2006/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 laying down technical requirements for inland waterway vessels^f5.

This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex II, Part B,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: