Brussels, 14/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted on Thursday 14 June, MEPs consider that greater liberalisation in some sectors would stimulate growth in Europe. They above all call on the European Commission to present, by the end of 2012, a proposal aimed at opening the internal market up to rail passenger transport.
Like the Commission, the EP takes the view that the services sector, especially digital services, is a source of growth. It invites the European Commission to make development of the single digital market a priority, so that consumers have full access to offers for more competitive goods and services. The Union must take full advantage of the potential provided by internet, e-commerce and the diffusion of communication and information technologies among SMEs and in public services, the EP states.
MEPs, however, did not endorse a number of amendments from the S&D Group insisting on the importance of striking a balance between budgetary discipline and economic growth. One of the amendments said a regulation relating to growth providing provisions and procedures to control and oversee national public investment spending should complete the budgetary provisions in force applying to public deficit and debt.
Future of the single market. On Wednesday during the plenary debate, Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier had evoked the initiative aimed at completing the Single Market Act, scheduled for the end of the summer. He had spoken of 12 new proposals which will deal with sectors where the single market does not yet exist correctly - energy, transport, services - and which will oversee social and territorial cohesion.
MEPs call on member states to fully apply Directive 2006/123/EC relating to services, especially by setting one-stop shops in place for end-users worldwide. Monitoring of the mutual evaluation process of national regulations should also be ensured. Michel Barnier said that, on the Commission side, it is felt that the internal market may bring between 0.8% and 2.6% of growth if the directive on services gives its full potential. He went on to guarantee “zero tolerance” with regard to infringements of the services directive. (MB/transl.jl)