Brussels, 10/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's internal market committee (IMCO) is preparing to send the European Commission a clear message about its recommendations for SOLVIT, the online out-of-court cross-border dispute settlement system for single market rules (see EUROPE 10924). The committee is expected to vote on the draft SOLVIT report on 23 January. On 9 January, the committee examined amendments that have been tabled, which back the approach of rapporteur Morten Lokkegaard (ALDE, Denmark).
The rapporteur wants to make improvements to this very useful tool and introduce a better-financed SOLVIT 2.0, with better trainers, greater visibility and a broader selection of tasks. Nearly 60 amendments have been tabled thus far, but the rapporteur says that broad consensus is emerging at IMCO. He is considering compromise documents on raising awareness, the role of business associations and the spread of best practice. Examining the amendments to the draft report, the MEPs backed the rapporteur's approach, some insisting on the need to make the tool more accessible to all, particularly to the elderly. Others warned of the danger of scattering attention too broadly and want SOLVIT to focus on the initial priorities by making a better use of resources. The Commission shares the latter viewpoint, advocating caution about giving too much publicity to SOLVIT, recommending using the Your Europe website to filter searches. It is also concerned about the idea of dividing the network into regional offices. (MD/transl.fl)