Brussels, 04/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 4 September, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority the own-initiative report by Syed Kamall (EPP-ED, UK) on the trade in services. Stressing the fact that European suppliers are very competitive on external markets, the EP invites the Commission to promote gradual and mutual opening of access to the services market and a policy of increased transparency for regulations so that citizens and businesses of countries signing a trading deal can enjoy access to a broader range of services. Stressing the distinction between commercial and non-commercial services, the Parliament stresses the need for a differentiated approach in opening SGI markets (Socialist Group amendment). It also underlines that the trade in services can bring solutions to environmental problems. Although it maintains that greater opening of the services market will not only benefit developed but also developing countries, the EP calls on the EU to take into account the different stages of development in the process of deregulation and liberalisation. Opening must be accompanied by regulations and supervisory systems allowing the adverse effect on the population to be limited (amendment GUE/NGL). Furthermore, the EP stresses the importance of universal services that are accessible and lasting, affordable prices that are also in line with quality norms, and also the need to have social and environmental norms and rules to govern the liberalisation of services. Recalling that services must ensure a balance with the interests defended in other sectors of WTO negotiations in the Doha Round, the EP stresses it is appropriate to allow developing countries a margin of manoeuvre concerning the degree of reciprocity in opening services by allowing them to decide on the intensity and rate at which their liberalisation must be conducted. Finally, recalling that no member of the WTO has taken a commitment on water distribution, the EP considers that such a commitment should not prevent a state from fixing levels of quality, supply security and pricing that it considers appropriate and to impose on foreign suppliers the same regulations as on local suppliers. It also recognises that water should be considered as a universal public good (amendment by Socialist Group). Finally, the EP stresses that the trade in cultural services must be correctly balanced, while respecting the protection of intellectual property rights. (E.H./transl.jl)