Brussels, 25/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Legal Affairs and Internal Market Committee received Commissioner Frits Bolkestein on 22 April to fuel the dialogue between MEPs on the state of progress of the internal market in different areas. In his opening speech, the Commissioner recalled three essential issues highlighted at the European Council of Barcelona: 1) strategy for the internal market: the thirty measures that will need to be taken before enlargement must be on the agenda of all Community institutions, says Bolkestein, calling on the EP and Council to back his action programme; 2) financial services: since Barcelona, which provided a remarkable "spur", the internal market for financial services has considerably improved, with a great number of agreements concluded. The explanation is "increased awareness of the advantages gained by the integration of financial services that could increase GDP by half a percentage point. Despite that, some things remain to be completed", said the Commissioner; 3) patents: the main stumbling block remains the language regime, Mr. Bolkestein recalled, hoping that an agreement could be reached on that on 21 May at the next Internal Market Council. The Commissioner spoke to parliamentarians on the following subjects:
Trafficking in tobacco: Mr. Bolkestein was questioned on tobacco contraband that raises a problem for the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, and regarded as excessive the measures being envisaged by Britain that would harm the freedom of citizens to buy cigarettes and alcohol in other Member States and to circulate with these products. Ms McCarthy, British Labour, considered that a great deal of the tax revenue from this traffic benefited organisations linked to the IRA or hooligans, and that the British Government had to take steps. Mr. Bolkestein said he agreed with the need to combat this type of crime, but considered that the British Government was not providing a "proportionate response" in this affair.
Takeovers. The Commission hopes to be able to make a proposal by 23 June, said Mr. Bolkestein, continuing: "we want the same rules of play for everyone (…). We are looking into the issue and proposals from Parliament are welcome!".
Patents on software: software must only be patented if it comprises an innovative technique, said Mr. Bolkestein, in answer to a question from Ms. McCarthy. But it is not true in practice, he added, stating that in the past thousands of patents were issued without responding to that criterion, leading to anomalies that needed rectifying, he acknowledged.
Insurance markets: there is still no internal market in that sector, stressed Mr. K. H. Lehne (CDU) and Willy Rothley (SPD). The Commissioner, nevertheless noted that the situation in Europe was more integrated than in the United States.
Mr. Bolkestein also accepted the idea of an "Internal Market Forum", raised by Malcolm Harbour, British Conservative, who would like the work of European institutions to be more transparent. "The idea has its good sides", Bolkestein recognised, yet hesitating to say yes, given the colossal amount of organisation such a meeting would require.