Brussels, 21/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 20 April, the European Parliament's Internal Market Committee debated the own initiative report on relations between Switzerland and the European Economic Area (EEA) and the “obstacles with regard to the full implementation of the internal market”.
In the draft report, Andreas Schwab (EPP, Germany) expressed concern at the “transposition deficit”, which now stands at 1.9%, as opposed to 0.5% in November 2011 in the four member states of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). He was particularly concerned by the situation in Iceland, whose transposition deficit has reached 3.1% and Switzerland, whose citizens voted to limit the number of foreign workers (including Europeans) in the country (see EUROPE 11244).
During the debate, all the critical groups spoke in favour of the draft report. Ulrike Trebesius (ECR, Germany), however, stated that with regard to the Swiss referendum, “the will of the people must be respected”. Ulla Tornaes (Danish liberals), however, stressed that “we need to be clear with the Swiss: freedoms are a cornerstone of the internal market”. Hearings of the experts will be organised by the Parliamentary committee on 7 May and amendments will have to be submitted for the middle of May.
The Committee meeting also provided an opportunity for making progress on the abrogation of the 89/686/EEC directive on equipment for individual protection. MEPs managed to finalise a compromise on the last remaining problem areas (scope, statute for decorative features and periods of certification validity). (Jean Comte)