Brussels, 04/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - Adoption of the own-initiative report on review of internal market strategy was, as foreseen, purely a formality (see EUROPE 9489 and 9491). The European Parliament may thus “fully influence” the work in progress within the Commission with a view to presenting a revised strategy, said Jacques Toubon (EPP-ED, France) during the plenary debate on Tuesday 4 September. The report's main “originality” is to “adopt a political approach in these periods of European upheavals”, he added, stressing that it was impossible to consolidate the internal market without having the confidence of European citizens. In November, the Commission will present its revised strategy, which will then be discussed at the level of heads of state and government next year during the Spring European Council.
Compatibility test. MEPs confirmed that a provision should be included in the report for the setting in place of a “test of compatibility with the internal market”, in line with the wishes of the internal market and consumer protection committee. This test, to be incorporated into the impact study that the Commission has undertaken to conduct before any legislative initiative, would, in their view, make it possible to ensure that the regulatory authority always takes into account the impact of its action on the four constituent freedoms of the single market, in parallel to the other aspects that it must bear in mind, such as sustainable development and employment. During the debate, German Social Democrat Evelyne Gebhard nonetheless expressed the PES Group's hostility to such a measure. “It is not a tool with which we want to work”, she said, preferring to use the “social clause” included in the European treaty as a reference. The Commission, on the other hand, supported such a measure. “I welcome Mr Toubon's idea of introducing an internal market test”, declared Charlie McCreevy, European Internal Market Commissioner, convinced that a legislative proposal undermines the internal market if it hampers one of the four fundamental freedoms of the European Treaty.
Voting. In its report, the EP covers the protocol on services of general interest (SGI) that the June European Council added into the mandate of the Intergovernmental Conference responsible for finalising the future European Treaty. With the adoption of a revised amendment by the EPP-ED Group, MEPs invite the Commission to take initiatives with a view to remedying the legal uncertainty surrounding the status of SGI, mainly rules relating to State aid and public procurement. They also welcome Commission initiatives aimed at removing the ambiguities in the field of health services and social services of general interest in the single market. The two amendments of the PES Group calling for initiatives to strengthen the social agenda and for the insertion of a social safeguard clause in all internal market legislation were, however, rejected during the vote.
Charlie McCreevy cited several areas of activity for which efforts are underway or must be made: - the EU is moving towards “full opening” of the postal services; - mid-September, the Commission will present a legislative package aimed at opening the internal market more up to energy (see EUROPE 9492); - it is currently carrying out a review of European legislation on consumer protection (see EUROPE 9385); - and it is working relentlessly in favour of a solution to the Community patent. The Commissioner also stated his resolve to give citizens more support for resolving cross border litigation and to establish an information system for the internal market.
Most MEPs welcomed the rapporteur's balanced approach. Speaking on behalf of the economic and monetary affairs committee, French Socialist Pervenche Berès was adamant about “tax harmonisation” having to accompany review of internal market strategy. British Conservative Malcom Harbour spoke of the international dimension of the internal market, which he says is a vital competitive asset for the EU compared to its trade partners and rivals. Karin Riis-Jorgensen (ALDE, Denmark) recommended lifting the barriers to completion of the internal market, an essential condition for a sustainable quality of life for European citizens. On behalf of the Greens, Heide Rühle of Germany raised the question of “citizen confidence” in the internal market. She went on to urge for review of the “toys” directive with a view to strengthening consumer protection, with reference in particular to the problems caused by importing toys that do not comply with European standards (see EUROPE 9484). “We trust that the restrictions imposed on Romanian and Bulgarian workers” by the member states wishing to protect their labour market will be lifted, said Ticau Silvia-Adriana (PES, Romania). (mb)