17/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Jean-Paul Gauzès (EPP-ED, France), Pervenche Berès (PES, France), Sharon Bowles (ALDE, UK) and Gianni Pittella (PES, Italy) have expressed concern at the lack of progress at the Council over the payment services directive, which is causing delays in getting the legislation through in first reading. Jean-Paul Gauzès, EP rapporteur on the directive, explains in a press release that the Council should find a rapid solution to the current deadlock on the draft directive because its inability to decide on a common position was paralysing the negotiations between the Council and EP. He added that as a matter of urgency, the upcoming ECOFIN Council had to demonstrate decision-making capacity and flexibility in the negotiations. The EP issued its opinion in first reading in September and is negotiating with the Council behind the scenes to try and break the deadlock and reach agreement so the dossier can be voted on in plenary (see EUROPE 9265). In Frankfurt, Germany, this week, EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy slammed parochial national interests for standing in the way of a rapid solution to this vital element of a European payment area. (mb)