Brussels, 23/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Monday in a speech to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Charlie McCreevy spoke of the European Parliament's first reading vote on the “services” directive and the attitude of the Commission to this vote (see EUROPE 9133). The European Commissioner with responsibility for the Internal Market said that with a view to honouring its undertaking to respect the wide consensus, the Commission intended to take on board numerous EP amendments, but he did not specify which. He hoped that that would keep everyone on course for reaching a political agreement in the Council as quickly as possible. As for the outcome of the vote, Mr McCreevy considered that a very important step had been taken. He added that Parliament had provided a sensible and solid base from which to move forward. This was a real advance, a step which no one would have believed possible even twelve months ago. The vote showed, he said, that there was a desire in Europe to overcome differences and to take measures which contributed to growth and the creation of jobs.