Brussels, 10/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Competitiveness Council, which met on Thursday 10 March, adopted conclusions on improving the single market for services, based on the results of the national legislation mutual evaluation process as set out in the services directive.
Evaluation must contribute to eliminating the barriers to trade in services in the internal market and consists of a detailed examination of the national legislations and of measures affecting a sector. In its conclusions, the Council underlines the potential provided by defragmentation of the market covered by the directive, which alone represents 40% of GDP and employment in the EU. It also insists on the progress that must be made by some member states to fully implement the directive, mainly with regard to market access or enlargement of consumer choice, and invites the Commission to ensure follow-up through the internal market scoreboard. It welcomes the evaluation carried out and the setting in place of an internal market performance test. It also calls for closer involvement in all periodic monitoring initiatives and for the functioning of the internal market for services to be improved. Also, it encourages member states to cooperate and to interact with the Commission to improve market efficiency. (F.G./transl.jl)