Brussels, 09/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - In response to specific Commission consultation (see EUROPE 9193), France published a document in September setting out its vision of a new internal market strategy. Strengthening convergence without giving up harmonisation of national rules, continuing integration in targeted areas on the basis of a high level of protection for consumers, workers and the environment, and taking into account the international dimension of the internal market - these are the three main avenues for revision underway, the French authorities say. Citizen and business confidence towards the internal market depends on this. The Commission announced end September that it would present a report and an action plan on the future of the internal market during the first half of 2007, a first version of which will be presented to the next Spring European Council (see EUROPE 9269).
In order to remedy fragmentation of the internal market, France supports the general Commission guidelines in the context of the Better Regulation initiative but warns: “better regulation does not necessarily mean less regulation”. It is important to “pursue the work of harmonisation”, France says, as this approach makes it possible to avoid the risk of increased competition between national legislations (Ed.: as could be feared from the initial Services Directive). France also believes it is desirable to prepare Community texts better, to simplify existing Community law, to use alternatives to regulation and to improve transposition.
The French document identifies several areas in which more integration at the European level is needed. In the context of developing new technologies, the strengthening of intellectual property is identified as one of the most important areas to be worked on. France hopes to conclude negotiations on the Community patent while ensuring “optimal legal security within the framework of an integrated jurisdictional system” and respecting “multilingualism for procedures”. In order to promote innovation, it supports the development of a Community State aid framework for research and development, facilitated access to funding for innovative firms and improved access to public procurement for small and medium-sized companies.
When it comes to financial services field, the French authorities speak of integrating retail services and “after sales” operations, the “Solvability II” project for insurance firms as well as the enhancement of financial supervision. In order to remedy the fragmentation of the European energy market, they urge for national regulation practice to be harmonised, better coordination of energy transport network managers and the achievement of infrastructure investment. In the field of telecommunications, they call for harmonisation of conditions for the attribution of frequencies. Considering that the lack of tax harmonisation puts a brake on the integration of the internal market, France states the need to harmonise the corporate tax base at European level. Also, in order to strengthen consumer confidence in the internal market, it gives preference to the harmonisation of advertising and consumer information rules. It would also be appropriate to rekindle reflection on a European status for mutual companies and associations, is the view expressed by France.
“Consolidation of the internal market must be accompanied by consolidation of social policy”, the French government states, considering that these policies “help overall performance and the Union's economic competitiveness”. France says that priority actions concern in particular the increased mobility of social rights, the definition at European level of minimum conditions for workers' health and safety protection (hygiene and security, working hours), and respect of fundamental labour law. Considering it necessary to take account of the specific nature of public service missions with respect to application of internal market rules, France calls on the Commission to clarify and enrich the Community framework for the provision of services of general economic interest (SGEI). It supports the adoption of a Community cross-border legal instrument for SGEI, which ensures national and local authorities can define and organise public services in line with the principle of subsidiarity. It also takes a stance for a “specific legislative framework” for social services of general interest.
France shares the Commission's analysis on the need for better account to be taken of the integration dimension of the internal market. It supports continued dialogue on regulation with the United States, China, Japan, Russia, Brazil and India. During this dialogue, it will be necessary to have a Community base of common requirements, ensure that the EU does not renounce its own standards and strengthen the Union's external representation. (il)