Brussels, 12/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is highly ambitious when it comes to the 50-point action plan to be proposed on 27 October this year for a “better functioning single market, for going back to the initial philosophy of a social market economy, and for reconciling enterprise and citizens with this single market which, over the past few years, they have felt is not for them”. (EUROPE 10233). Such was the view expressed by Michel Barnier on Monday 11 October during the press conference in Luxembourg after the Competitiveness Council.
A better functioning single market would lead to 2 more growth points within the EU. Mario Monti, former commissioner, has, at José Manuel Barroso's request, already diagnosed the failings and the opportunities of the single market. “If we are not careful, the market could be blocked by a number of protectionist reflexes, populist movements, or misunderstanding on the part of the public which is worried and needs better economic prospects”, Michel Barnier warned European competitiveness ministers. The action plan on the “single market act” will contain some 50 initiatives for making the market function better, “with business and to the service of citizens”.
The action plan will comprise two main parts, the first on business. The Commission's proposal will be to: 1) promote innovation, reward creativity (patents, more effective marking system, collective copyright management, action plan against piracy and counterfeiting, etc); 2) create a sustainable industrial model (European standardisation, extension to services, consolidation of services market, improvement in the way the distribution sector operates); 3) help SMEs (speeding up work on the “small business act”, improving access to the capital market, simplifying accounting standards); 4) work on investment (creation of a European venture capital market, idea of a European savings account, the “EU project bond”); 5) establish an environment that is more favourable for business (improved tax coordination, especially on corporate tax, and establishment of value added tax strategy); and 6) the external dimension (increase regulatory cooperation, seek “fair reciprocity”, especially with regard to public procurement and state aid).
On the subject of public procurement, Michel Barnier said “public money must be put to better use”. The Commission intends to review the 2004 body of rules on public procurement to see how - through public procurement policy, which represents 17% of European GDP - the EU may better support other policies such as those on the environment, social inclusion, research or innovation. A Green Paper on all major aspects of the future reform will be presented in January 2011, followed by a White Paper end 2011, which will draw conclusions and set out the first guidelines for legislative reform end 2012.
On concessions, the Commission will put forward a “number of measures but we shall not propose to legislate on this point under any conditions”, Michel Barnier specified. He promised to meet the requirements of not imposing a heavy administrative burden on operators, ensuring all European companies have legal security and effective access to public commissioning, and facilitating private-public partnerships.
The second part of the action plan relates to measures to the benefit of European citizens. The Commission will present a White Paper on energy policy. In 2011, it will draft a communication on European services of general interest (ESGI) (i.e. services of an economic kind that member states or the Community bring under specific public service obligations according to general interest criteria). It will not be a framework directive but a legislative framework guaranteeing access to quality public services, by assessing all sector-specific legislation comprising universal service obligations (such as the postal directive), Barnier said. The Commission will also: - evoke access to employment and training; - revise the systems for recognition of professional qualifications; - close the gap between national training systems; - promote a single market to the service of social business development (“social business act”); - and promote social investment. For consumers, the Commission will place emphasis on: - the development of the digital single market (downloading on internet, non-discrimination in relation to place of residence at time of online purchasing); - protection of consumers of financial retail services; - and electronic signature.
From publication of the action plan, on 27 October, the Commission will open a public debate lasting about four months, after which it will make an analysis of opinions expressed. Commissioners will then make proposals in 2011 and 2012, to be adopted by Council and Parliament in 2012, “so that the 20th anniversary of the single market is not nostalgic but proactive”, Barnier concluded. (L.C./transl.jl)