Brussels, 03/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 3 March, the European Commission presented its first assessment report of the "EU Pilot" system, which aims to improve aid provided to the citizens and companies of the EU as regards the application of EU law. In the report, the Commission stresses the undeniably positive results of the system and recommends that it be rolled out to all member states.
In the event, only 15 member states volunteered to take part in EU Pilot, which has been operational since April 2008. This system aims to deal with queries and complaints regarding the correct application of EU law. EU Pilot is used when the member states must provide clarifications on situations of fact or of law and provide explanations or solutions within a tight timescale and, in particular, take measures to put an end to violations of EU law. The services of the Commission are looking at all of the responses from the member states and, if necessary, new measures could be taken to enforce EU law.
In its report, which was presented on Wednesday, the Commission notes with satisfaction that "EU Pilot" is making a positive contribution to close cooperation between the Commission and the participant member states, in that the majority of the latter responded within a period of six weeks and 85% of their responses were found to be acceptable by the Commission. The institution is tracking each dossier and will bring in infringement procedures if required. In the month of February 2010, 40 dossiers reached the formal infringement procedure stage.
One of the advantages of EU Pilot is, according to the Commission, the creation of an active network of contact points, making it possible to reinforce the supervision of the way query and complaint dossiers are managed and to improve coordination and cooperation between it and the member states. The assessment in the report also showed that it is possible to improve the functioning of the system in such a way as to speed up and improve the results. In a press release, the Commission stresses that it and the participant member states are determined to continue to work together to improve the handling of the dossiers and the working methods.
The Commission also plans to call on the member states not taking part in EU Pilot to join the scheme, to extend its application and scope and to target its development. The report is accompanied by a working document by the services of the Commission, which contains factual information on the functioning of the system as of February 2010. For more information: http: //ec.europa.eu/community_law/infringements/application_monitoring_en.htm. (O.L./transl.fl)