Brussels, 25/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 25 October, MEPs put questions to the European Commission on the 12 priorities of the Single Market Act and the measures that they say should be taken. European Commissioner Michel Barnier confirmed that proposals on these 12 priorities will be effectively submitted by the end of the year. He indicated that the proposal on the recognition of professional qualifications would be presented on 13 December.
The “troika” (according to the term used by British Liberal Diana Wallis) formed by Michel Barnier, Neelie Kroes and John Dalli answered the many questions raised by MEPs, but Barnier pointed out that 13 or 14 commissioners had taken part in the work on the 12 priorities. The common theme of the debate was the need to make best use of the opportunities provided by the single market at a time when it is essential to “deliver growth”, when there is only a little public money available (as Michel Barnier admitted). The MEPs wished to know more on the following subjects:
Public procurement. At the same time as simplification, the text to be presented will propose a tool relating to the reciprocity expected of other countries with regard to market opening, a tool developed with Karel De Gucht, Trade Commissioner, said Barnier. The idea of a “passport” will be part and parcel of the package on public procurement.
Services directive. Michel Barnier has done the rounds of nearly all the European capitals (he has still to go to Malta and Latvia) to see how the services directive is operating in practice. It is important, he said, for the “national mechanism not to be disconnected from the Community mechanism”.
SMEs. Barnier noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sometimes have the impression that the single market is not made for them. They must therefore be given full assistance to fully play their role in innovation and research, especially via specific measures that facilitate access to the European patent.
Digital Agenda. Neelie Kroes took the view that, given the current economic situation, one must reflect on what kind of economy is wanted for Europe and identify sources of growth and employment. She pointed out that the internet is equal in size to the Belgian economy in that it created one million jobs from 2005 to 2009. Evoking a recent meeting with the United Kingdom's “digital ambassador”, Kroes called (before writing on this to President Barroso) for digital ambassadors to be appointed in all EU27 capitals. Michel Barnier asserted he would not be proposing review of the directive on e-commerce unless there was a clear call for that from member states, but that he would rather provide clarification and complementary measures on deliveries, payments, and dispute settlement. The resolution of litigation, John Dalli put in, must be simple and effective without creating additional structures and further cost. He said one must find rapid solutions so that it is not always necessary to take action before the courts.
Professional qualifications. The idea of a “professional card” recommended by the Parliament is also to Michel Barnier's liking. He was of the opinion that the social rights of posted workers must be clarified. It is not a matter of overthrowing Court of Justice case-law, he said, but of taking matters forward.
All this is well and good, said, in essence, British Conservative Malcolm Harbour, who chairs the internal market committee, but will it be possible to convince member states to commit themselves alongside the Commission and Parliament? Michel Barnier answered his question saying: “We are trying”, mainly by showing concrete verification on the spot, and the importance of the correct functioning of the tools that are the closest to citizens. (LG/transl.jl)