Brussels, 07/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - The network “SOLVIT”, which solves concrete problems related to the single market of the EU, and which was set up in 2002 by the Commission and the member states, maintained its course in 2006 by offering citizens and companies solutions to problems caused by an incorrect application of Community legislation by the national governments. This is the main conclusion of the annual report on the functioning of SOLVIT, which was published on 7 May. Nonetheless, the document lays emphasis on the fact that more publicity and human resources are needed to allow the opportunities offered by the network to be fully exploited. It also notes that although the number of cases handled over the year remained stable, the percentage of cases resolved remained high and the average duration of a case has been considerably shortened. Furthermore, the interest shown in the network has encouraged an increasing number of member states to become more active in bringing their national rules into line with European law.
In its conclusions, the report, which focuses on 2006, states that SOLVIT has genuinely helped citizens and companies to overcome obstacles met when seeking to work, live or do business in another member state. Furthermore, when resolving a specific case, a great many SOLVIT centres have taken the initiative of getting the national legislation or guidelines in question adapted to European law, without requiring the formal intervention of the Commission. However, the Commission takes the view that the SOLVIT network could help to resolve even more problems. According to the report, the stabilisation of the total number of cases at 467 is due to a lack of staff and activities to get the network known at national level, which is the case with almost half of all SOLVIT centres. This means that the four countries in the EU with the highest population levels (Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy) represented a proportionately low number of cases. What is more, certain centres are functioning below proper staffing levels.
On figures, the report indicates that after a steep increase (more than 60%) in 2005, the total number of cases dealt with in 2006 remained stable. The average resolution rate of cases handled by the network in 2006 stood at 82%. Of all cases resolved, 73% were sorted out within the target timescale of 10 weeks. The time for dealing with cases fell considerably, falling from an average of 74 days in 2005 to 54 days in 2006. 69% of SOLVIT cases were brought by citizens. The main areas in which they have encountered difficulties are social security (23%), taxation (16%) and the recognition of professional qualifications (15%). 31% of the cases were brought by companies. Their main sources of problems are access to the market for products (8%) and for the provision of services and establishment as a freelance (11%). The 2006 report can be consulted on the SOLVIT website: http: //europa.eu.int/solvit/site/news/index_en.htm. (ol)