Brussels, 27/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - EU competitiveness ministers will reiterate the importance of a properly operating single market to boost economic recovery in Europe. In a draft conclusions document to be adopted on Thursday 5 March 2009 for the spring European Council, they reaffirm their commitment to the basics, describing the lifting of existing barriers as “crucial”, along with action to prevent the creation of new obstacles in the form of economic stimulus measures. They will stress the need to establish a healthy environment to help European business, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to seize economic opportunities in other countries. Full implementation of the Small Business Act, an EU action plan to boost the economic potential of small businesses (see EUROPE 9794), is particularly important in this domain.
The ministers will stress the need for open markets and the importance of the foreign dimension of internal market policies. They will explain that any new economic proposals should include an impact analysis on the competitiveness of European enterprise against the international backdrop. Calling for proper and timely implementation of the services directive, they urge member states to mobilise the necessary resources to set up one-stop shops to provide information and ensure the proper functioning of the internal market (see EUROPE 9805). The ministers will recall the importance of strengthening competition in network industries, particularly energy, transport and telecoms. The document will stress the need for proper attention to be paid to the social aspects of the internal market and services of general interest.
On ownership of the single market by stakeholders, the Competitiveness Council is eagerly awaiting the publication in June 2009 of a recommendation on partnership between the European Commission and the member states in this domain. It invites the Commission to speed up its creation of a single market helpdesk, centralising all the tools available for businesses and individuals to make the most of their rights within the single market. (M.B./transl.fl)