Brussels, 07/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 6 October, the European Commission issued a document providing guidance on EU legislation applying to cooperation among public authorities in the light of EU case law (a great deal of which has been issued over recent years). The document shows when contracts (for example, those by which several cities decide to jointly process waste or manage public transport services) are subject to EU public procurement legislation. Public-public cooperation is a current area of consideration, against the backdrop of the process of updating EU directives. Later this month, EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier will unveil draft legislation to fill the legal vacuum surrounding service providing contracts.
The European Centre for Public Participation Enterprises (CEEP) has published a press release welcoming the Commission's guidance for sending out a positive signal to public service providers, who need clarity and simplicity in providing their services for citizens. CEEP says that in house services should use the definition set out in EU Regulation 1370/2007 on public transport. (MB/transl.fl)