29.7.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 189/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC, EURATOM) No 1338/2003 of 23 July 2003 laying down the weightings applicable from 1 January 2003 to the remuneration of officials of the European Communities serving in third countries THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 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 ('), 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 from 1 January 2003 to remuneration paid in the currency of the country of employment to officials serving in third countries should be determined accord- ingly. (2)  The weightings, in respect of which payment has been made on the basis of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 101/ 2003 (3, may lead to retrospective upward or downward adjustments to remuneration. (3)  Provision should be made for back-payments in the event of an increase in remuneration as a result of the new weightings. (4)  Provision should be made for the recovery of sums over- paid in the event of a reduction in remuneration as a result of the new weightings for the period between 1 January 2003 and the date of entry into force of this Regulation. (5)  Provision should be made for any such recovery to be restricted to a period of no more than six months preceding the Decision laying down the weightings and for its effects to be spread over a period of no more than 12 months following the date of that Decision, as is the (") OJ L 56, 4.3.1968, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2265/2 02 (O] L 347, 20.12.2002, p. 1). ® OJL 16, 2212003 p. 1. case with the weightings applicable within the European Community to remuneration and pensions of officials and other servants of the European Communities, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Atrticle 1 With effect from 1 January 2003, the weightings applicable to the remuneration of officials of the European Communities serving in third countries 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. Atticle 2 1. The institutions shall make back-payments in the event of an increase in remuneration as a result of the weightings shown in the Annex. 2. The institutions shall make retrospective downward adjustments to remuneration in the event of a reduction as a result of the weightings shown in the Annex for the period between 1 January 2003 and the date of entry into force of this Regulation. Retrospective adjustments involving the recovery of sums over- paid shall be restricted to a period of no more than six months preceding the date of entry into force of this Regulation. Recovery shall be spread over no more than 12 months from that date. Atticle 3 This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publica- tion in the Official Journal of the European Union.