Brussels, 31/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - As it has announced a number of times already, the Commission is expected to base its modified proposal on the directive on services in the internal market on the European Parliament's opinion on first reading (see EUROPE 9133). In particular, the arrangements on freedom to provide services and the removal of sensitive services - such as health, audiovisual and gambling - will not be put in question in the proposal expected on 4 April.
In its provisional version produced by the services of Commissioner McCreevy and discussed by Commissioners' Heads of Cabinet on Thursday, the amended draft “services” directive retains the exclusion of private security services and temping agencies from the scope of the legislative proposal, it has been learned from a number of sources. However, it does not pick up the removal of services of general economic interest (SGEI) in the arrangements on authorisation regimes and limits the range of SGEI not covered by the principle of freedom to provide services. Several observers, including rapporteur Evelyne Gebhadt (PES, Germany), have expressed fears over the failure to respect the European Parliament compromise in contractual and non-contractual obligations (Rome I and II).
On 3 April, the final meeting of Heads of Cabinet will take place. In Strasbourg on Tuesday, the College will adopt the amended draft directive which will then be presented at the plenary session of the Parliament.