20.7.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L181/65 DIRECTIVE 2000/26/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 May 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles and amending Council Directives 73/239/EEC and 88/357|EEC (Fourth motor insurance Directive) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 47(2) and 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (*), in the light of the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 7 April 2000, Whereas: 1 At present, differences exist between provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in the Member States relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles and those differences constitute an obstacle to the free movement of persons and of insurance services. It is therefore necessary to approximate those provisions in order to promote the sound functioning of the single market. By Directive 72/166[EEC (%), the Council adopted provisions on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, and to the enforcement of the obligation to insure against such liability. By Directive 88/357/EEC (%), the Council adopted provisions on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct insurance other than life assurance and laying down provisions to facilitate the effective exercise of freedom to provide services. The green card bureau system ensures the ready settlement of claims in the injured party's own country even where the other party comes from a different European country. The green card bureau system does not solve all problems of an injured party having to claim in another country against a party resident there and an insurance undertaking authorised there (foreign legal system, foreign language, unfamiliar settlement procedures and often unreasonably delayed settlement). () O] C 343, 13.11.1997, p. 11 and OJ C 171, 18.6.1999, p. 4. () O] C 157, 25.5.1998, p. 6. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 16 July 1998 (O] C 292, 21.9.1998, p. 123), confirmed on 27 October 1999, Council Common Position of 21 May 1999 (O] C 232, 13.8.1999, p. 8) and Decision of the European Parliament of 15 December 1999 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Decision of the Council of 2 May 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the European Parliament of 16 May 2000. (*) O] L 103, 2.5.1972, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 84/5/EEC (O] L 8, 11.1.1984, p. 17). () O] L 172, 4.7.1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 92/49/EEC (O] L 228, 11.8.1992, p. 1).