Brussels, 24/01/2013 (Agence Europe)- On Wednesday 23 January, MEPs called on European legislators for the umpteenth time, requesting that they do what it takes to deliver the full potential of single market growth, a press release states. They also called on the Commission to develop new legislation aimed at improving implementation of the internal market directives and including guidance for the internal market in the European Semester.
In a non-binding resolution on single market governance, MEPs stress among other things the need to place emphasis on a limited number of priorities and invite the Commission to present a legislative proposal fixing definite priorities and conditions to be set in place in order to achieve tangible improvements. They suggest that, in order to have an improved state of play in assessment for the single market, the single market must become an integral part of the European Semester. MEPs suggest in particular that there should be a “single market governance” pillar alongside the “economic governance” pillar and call on the Commission to develop an annual report on single market integration, including specific recommendations for each country.
MEPs also underline the need to step up dialogue with national authorities and civil society throughout the legislative process. They propose putting a “single market test” in place to assess whether new national legislation can have a negative impact on the smooth functioning of the single market. There should also be a zero tolerance policy regarding member states that do not apply single market rules correctly, the MEPs said, in the hope that the Commission will launch infringement proceedings more swiftly. (SP/transl.jl)