November 9 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said that it has sent a reasoned opinion to Bulgaria, urging the country to fully transpose EU rules on the periodic technical inspection of motor vehicles and their trailers into its national law.
"The Directive defines the items to be tested during the roadworthiness test, the test methods, and the defects and their assessment," the Commission said on Thursday in its montly infringements package.
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Bulgaria now has two months to respond, after which the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU, which will rule on whether Bulgaria is in breach of EU law.
If the Court rules against Bulgaria and the country does not comply with the ruling, the Commission may open another infringement procedure, which has only one warning, before the country is referred back to the Court. In such a case, the Commission can propose that the Court imposes financial penalties on Bulgaria, in the form of a lump sun, daily penalty or both.
In addition to the reasoned opinion on roadworthiness, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Bulgaria, asking the country to correctly transpose EU rules on airport charges.
"Member States are required to put in place national measures to ensure that airport fees for air carriers are calculated in accordance with the principles of transparency, consultation and non-discrimination as set out in policies agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation," the Commission said.
Bulgaria has two months to reply to the arguments raised by the Commission or the institution may decide to send a reasoned opinion.