31.12.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 373/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 3921/91 of 16 December 1991 laying down the conditions under which non-resident carriers may transport goods or passengers by inland waterway within a Member State THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 75 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas, pursuant to Article 75 (1) (b) of the Treaty, the establishment of a common transport policy entails, inter alia, laying down the conditions under which non-resident carriers may operate transport services within a Member State; Whereas this provision entails the removal of all restrictions against the person providing the services in question on the grounds of his nationality or the fact that he is established in a different Member State from the one in which the service is to be provided; Whereas, in accordance with the general principles of the Treaty enshrining equality of treatment and with the case-law of the Court of Justice on this matter, non-resident carriers should be allowed to carry out national transport operations under the same conditions as those imposed by the Member State concerned on its own carriers; (1) OJ No C 331, 20. 12. 1985, p. 2. (2) O] No C 255, 13. 10. 1986, p. 229. (3) OJ No C 328, 22. 12. 1986, p. 34. Whereas it is necessary to avoid distorting competition and disturbing the organization of the markets in question; Whereas the laws, regulations and administrative provisions in force in the Member State in which the services are provided, in so far as the application thereof implies restrictions on the freedom to provide services, must be justified by the general interest; whereas such provisions are applicable only in so far as the general interest is not already safeguarded by provisions to which non-resident carriers are subject in the Member State in which they are established and in so far as the same result cannot be obtained by less binding rules; Whereas provision should be made for a transitional period, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 With effect from 1 January 1993, any carrier of goods or passengers by inland waterway shall be permitted to carry out the national transport of goods or persons by inland waterway for hire or reward in a Member State in which he is not established, hereinafter called ‘cabotage’, provided that: A ) — he is established in a Member State in accordance with its legislation and, where appropriate, — he is entitled there to carry out the international transport of goods or persons by inland waterway. If he fulfils those conditions, he may temporarily carry on cabotage in the Member State concerned without having to set up a registered office or other establishment there.