17.2.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 43/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC, ECSC, EURATOM) No 342/1999 of 15 February 1999 laying down the weightings applicable from 1 July 1998 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 a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities, Having regard to the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities and the conditions of employ- ment of other servants of the Communities laid down by Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 ('), as last amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom, ECSC) No 2762/ 98 (3, and in particular the first paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas account should be taken of changes in the cost of living in countries outside the Community and weight- ings applicable to remuneration payable in the currency of the country of employment to officials serving in third countries should be determined with effect from 1 July 1998; Whereas, under Annex X of the Staff Regulations, the Council sets the weightings every six months; whereas it will accordingly have to set new weightings for the coming half-years; Whereas the weightings to apply with effect from 1 July 1998 in respect of which payment has been made on the basis of a previous Regulation could lead to retrospective adjustments to remuneration (positive or negative); Whereas provision should be made for back payments in the event of an increase in remuneration as a result of these weightings; Whereas provision should be made for the recovery of sums overpaid in the event of a reduction in remu- neration as a result of these weightings for the period () OJ L 56, 4. 3. 1968, p. 1. () OJ L 346, 22. 12. 1998, p. 1. between 1 July 1998 and the date of the Council Decision setting the weightings to apply with effect from 1 July 1998; Whereas, however, in order to mirror the weightings applicable within the European Community to remu- neration and pensions of officials and other servants of the European Communities, provision should be made for any such recovery to apply solely to a period of no more than six months preceding the decision and for its effects to be spread over a period of no more than twelve months following the date of that decision, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 With effect from 1 July 1998, 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 remu- neration shall be those used for implementation of the general budget of the European Communities for the month preceding the date referred to in the first para- graph. Article 2 In accordance with the first paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X of the Staff Regulations, the Council shall set weightings every six months. It shall accordingly set new weightings with effect from 1 January 1999. The institutions shall make back payments in the event of an increase in remuneration as a result of these weight- ings.