Article 2 — Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 apply. In addition, the following definitions apply: (1) progressive start of operations of the EES means the period of 180 days starting from the date from which the EES is to start operations as decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226; (2) national authorities means the authorities referred to in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226; (3) estimated number of border crossings means a Member State’s estimate of the number of border crossings by third-country nationals referred to in Article 2(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 for that Member State based on the yearly average of the total number of border crossings at the borders referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 by third-country nationals travelling to that Member State for a short stay, calculated for the 2 calendar years preceding the date from which the EES is to start operations as decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.