Brussels, 10/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - In a meeting last Thursday with journalists, Pierre Jonckheer MEP (Belgian green) made a reference to the vote on the report on the Constitution and the draft services directive ("Bolkestein directive").
Pierre Jonckheer noted that he had spent a lot of time outside the European Parliament to take part in debates on the Constitution and said that many people did not know the European Union or what it did. He noted that people active in these debates were often those mobilising against the Constitution and that a recurrent theme in these debates was the "broken promises" of the EU. Jonckheer launched a clear appeal for a "yes" vote while having a critical analysis of the constitutional text which "consolidates and improves but is not the founding element". The MEP would have liked to introduce the idea of a referendum on the European constitution or that failing, to symbolically hold a referendum on the same day in all Member States. According to Jonckheer the European Parliament would next Wednesday be voting on a report on the constitutional treaty that was "a-critical".
Jonckheer considers that the proposal on internal market services was an example of the "minimum rules on labour law and consumer protection…the idea of a framework directive is not necessarily a good idea". He also said that other options may be envisaged such as setting up "national strategies" compelling Member States to revise their legislation in light of Court of Justice jurisprudence and to simplify cross-border trade. What would be the hidden goals of this proposal? Mr Jonckheer noted that there was one factor that had not been discussed at any length, " the international aspect" given that the WTO through the general agreement on trade and services (GATS), "requesting the opening up of the services sector and which considers that the European market is not really open". The MEP is expecting the work to be thick with amendments so that the proposal is passed and also expects a certain slowing down. He added that all the options were on the table and that Member States expressing misgivings had a widespread resonance in certain sectors of civil society. He said that " the Luxembourg presidency will probably make the 'services' directive a priority". However, Jonckheer acknowledged that his colleagues in the new member states were generally in favour of the directive that would help their countries "play on their comparative advantages". Next stage: the first working document currently being prepared and announced for mid-January.