Brussels, 12/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - Responding to a question from Vilija Blinkevièiûtë (S&D, Lithuania), Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier announced on Tuesday 9 March that in the course of this year, a green Paper on pensions would be presented in order to launch a debate on regulation of private pension funds. A review of Directive 2003/41/EC governing occupational retirement provision institutions might be considered, he said. Apart from monitoring the activities of these institutions, the European Commission also has its sights on solvency rules for pension funds. “In situations where the effect could be cross-border, it might be useful to promote insurance regimes which are Europe-wide rather than national,” Barnier said, too. (M.B./transl.rt)