27.8.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L 229/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC, EURATOM) No 1522/2002 of 24 July 2002 laying down the weightings applicable from 1 January 2002 to the remuneration of officials of the European Communities serving in third countries THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, (6) ~ However, in order to mirror the weightings applicable Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities and the Conditions of employment of other servants of the Communities laid down by Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 ('), as last amended by Regu- lation (EC, ECSC, Euratom) No 490/2002 (), and in particular the first paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X thereto, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) Account should be taken of changes in the cost of living in countries outside the Community and the weightings applicable to remuneration paid in the currency of the country of employment to officials serving in third coun- tries should be determined accordingly with effect from 1 January 2002. (2)  Under Annex X of the Staff Regulations, the Council sets the weightings every six months and it will accordingly have to set new weightings for the coming half-year. (3)  The weightings to apply with effect from 1 January 2002, in respect of which payment has been made on the basis of a previous regulation, could lead to retro- spective adjustments to remuneration (upwards or down- wards). (4)  Provision should be made for back-payments in the event of an increase in remuneration as a result of these weightings. (5)  Provision should be made for the recovery of sums over- paid in the event of a reduction in remuneration as a result of these weightings for the period between 1 January 2002 and the date of the Council decision setting the weightings to apply with effect from 1 January 2002. 1968, p. 1. 43 20.3.2002, p. 1. ) ) within the European Community to remuneration and pensions of officials and other servants of the European Communities, such recovery should be restricted to a period of no more than six months preceding the deci- sion, and for its effects to be spread over a period of no more than 12 months following the date of that deci- sion, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 With effect from 1 January 2002, the weightings applicable to remuneration payable in the currency of the country of employment shall be as shown in the Annex. The exchange rates for the calculation of such remuneration shall be those used for implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the month preceding the date referred to in the first paragraph. Article 2 In accordance with the first paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X to the Staff Regulations, the Council shall set weightings every six months. It accordingly shall set new weightings with effect from 1 July 2002. The institutions shall make back-payments in the event of an increase in remuneration as a result of these weightings. For the period between 1 January 2002 and the date of the Council decision setting the weightings applicable with effect from 1 January 2002, the institutions shall make retrospective downward adjustments to remuneration in the event of a reduction as a result of these weightings.