Brussels, 16/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission hopes to set up a group of MEPs to help promote SOLVIT, the on-line problem solving network in which EU member states work together to solve, without legal proceedings, problems caused by the misapplication of Internal Market law by public authorities. “I want to create a circle of MEPs who have a particular interest in SOLVIT and are prepared to play an active role in raising awareness for it in the course of their daily activities,” said European Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy at celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the SOLVIT network organised by the European Parliament on Tuesday 15 January.
The informal circle will comprise MEPs from all member states, if possible. “We are looking for MEPs not only in IMCO (the internal market and consumer protection committee) but also in other committees dealing with matters that are regularly handled by SOLVIT, such as residence rights, taxation, transport and social security issues,” he said. There are national SOLVIT offices throughout the European Union, and in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The commissioner said that the network handles 70 new cases every month, with 80% of these being settled within 10 weeks. For further information, go to: http: //ec.europa.eu/solvit/ (M.B.)