Brussels, 14/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EU 2020 strategy must focus more on the quality, implementation and enforcement of public regulations if it is to play its role as Europe's long-term policy agenda. This is the response by the UEAPME (European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) to the consultation exercise launched by the Commission at the end of November 2009 (see EUROPE 10019, 10020, 10030 and 10039).
In its reply, the UEAPME: (1) stresses the need to incorporate the quality of regulatory systems and their ability to enforce European law in the EU 2020 strategy, including better integration of the “Think Small First” principles in the text; (2) recommends adding a fourth priority, namely improving the effectiveness and accessibility of the public sector; (3) warns that the new strategy will only work if member states take ownership of the process, something that was not always the case in the past, and if stakeholders at all levels are fully committed to putting jointly agreed policies into practice.
According to a press release, UEAPME General Secretary Andrea Benassi has also launched a call for the European Commission to play a leading role as “watchdog” to ensure that European laws are properly incorporated into national legislations by the member states. Furthermore, the EU 2020 strategy should contain a clear commitment on putting into practice the principles of the Better Regulation Initiative. A further key point is the role of the public sector which has been totally overlooked in the European text. Its efficiency and capacity to innovate must be strengthened, Benassi says. (G.B./transl.rt)