Brussels, 10/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Bringing recovery by encouraging competitiveness, economic growth and jobs are the priorities expressed in the debate in the Competitiveness Council on Thursday 10 March on the Single Market Act, the two-year plan (2010-2012) which the European Commission presented on 27 October 2010 and which comprises 50 measures to get the most out the internal market and to implement the objectives of the EUROPE 2020 strategy to boost employment and growth (see EUROPE 10243).
Following on from the Council conclusions of 10 December 2010, the Presidency invited ministers to discuss the role of the Single Market Act in realising the EUROPE 2020 objectives, priority action they would like to see taken before 2012 from among the 50 measures provided for, and how to define these priorities. Beforehand, Single Market Commissioner Michel Barnier informed the Council of the outcome of a consultation among a wide range of players (public bodies, industrial and professional organisations, trade unions, consumer associations, NGOs, etc.) conducted by his staff on this matter until the end of February 2011. It is on the basis of these findings and preferences by the ministers that the Commission will begin its work next week, while waiting for the Parliament to set out its priorities on 7 April, and be able to select, by mid-April, 10 or 12 priority measures to be put into effect by 2012.
As indicated above, recovery from the crisis, stimulating competitiveness and encouraging economic growth and employment creation are the criteria used by ministers to define their priorities. Among the measures they would like to see taken are those which make it easier for SMEs to have access to funding, which create a more entrepreneur-friendly climate, which make the operation of the internal market more flexible, develop services, e-commerce and the digital market, and which promote energy efficiency.
More specifically, Germany put great emphasis, for example, on cutting red tape for European business by, inter alia, exempting companies with fewer than 10 workers from accounting requirements. France highlighted the external dimension in trade relations with third countries, insisting on the principle of reciprocity and on horizontal social clauses and the need to remove disparities in tax bases. Some countries, such as Ireland and the United Kingdom, however, are still reticent over any form of tax harmonisation whatever in the single market. The Commission proposed three measures which are not contained in the 50: a European Company Statute, even lower roaming rates and an optional regime for contract law (introducing, as an option, European contract law). It also highlighted the important step it took with the enhanced cooperation on the European patent, which will be one of the key parts of the Single Market Act. (F.G./transl.rt)