Strasbourg, 14/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - As the new consumer protection Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva of Bulgaria, made her début at the European Parliament, things looked promising for future cooperation between the two institutions even though, for now, she was unable to give any definitive answers to MEPs on each point. However, the objectives of the new Commission strategy for the period 2007-2013 were broadly identified during the plenary presentation on 13 March. It is a strategy that plans to give the consumer an active role within the internal market. Consumers are to be better informed and protected when necessary but without paternalism on the part of the Commission (see the ample report on the strategy in EUROPE 9385).
Speaking in English, Ms Kuneva briefly answered questions on: - collective redress. Several MEPs, in particular French Socialist Béatrice Patrie, consider that individual redress is often ineffective and that, without things sliding the American way, it is necessary to be able to foresee collective redress. A study on this was initiated last week by the Commission that will inform the Parliament in due course, said Ms Kuneva, recalling that the collective redress instrument already exists in ten Union countries; - consumer information. Dutch Liberal Toine Manders was highly critical of “overabundant information that informs about nothing” and against the possible introduction of additional rules. The commissioner reassured him saying that the aim is above all to simplify and to focus on certain priority actions. Thus, she said, “we shall perhaps be able to present a cooler image of the Union”, using an expression used by the Finnish representative, Alexander Stubb (EPP/ED) in a press article. The commissioner is particularly keen on keeping young people well informed. - the possibility of imposing sanctions. “Why not?”, asked Ms Kuneva, in response to MEPs' questions, saying she would not hesitate if it were justified. (lg)