Brussels, 20/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - In the opinion that it recently published on the European Commission Communication relating to general interest services in Europe (dated 20 September 2000), the European Standing Conference of Co-operatives, Mutual societies, Associations and Federations (CEP-CMAF) wants for a dialogue to be initiated with the Commission and the other European institutions to deepen a certain number of issues. Among the observations formulated in the opinion, let us cite in greater detail the fact that: 1) the European policies should be drafted in order to contribute towards the development of quality general interest services, at the best prices and in the interests of citizens; 2) general interest services must not be limited to the respect for minimum standards of universal service, they are more effective when they cover the additional needs of consumers. For the CEP-CMAF, limiting general interest services to a universal service engenders a risk of degrading the quality of the general interest services. Thus, continues the CEP-CMAF, universal telephone services concerns neither the mobile telephony, nor the Internet. The same applies to public transport; 3) the concept of subsidiarity should incite the Member States to strengthen the models for self-regulation and auto-management developed by the users themselves; 4) the rules of proportionality should be applied to general interest services provided by the CMAF that have specific methods, which should not be confused with those of the purely commercial structures; 5) European legislation should pay specific attention to the "not for profit" motivation of an activity; 6) it is necessary to clarify the moment from which a main social activity must be defined as an economic activity; 7) when the CMAF take part in economic activities and that Community law is susceptible of being applied, the Commission must look to see if the interests if the EC justifies its intervention. Finally, the CEP-CMAF awaits, with interest, the interpretations that will be given in the White Paper on governance, when it defines the principals of general interest at the European level. Such a move, writes the CEP-CMAF, would positively stimulate the CMAF and the solidarity between European citizens.
As a reminder, the CEP-CMAF was created on 17 November 2000. It is an advisory body for proposals and for representation over common issues to its founding members. It notably has as aim to promote the values and the role of the CMAF in economic, social and cultural areas and to enhance the political and legal recognition of the CMAF at the European level, notably through various Community bodies as permanent partners.