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BackOn 10th and 11th October, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament invited representatives of the national parliaments, the Council and the Commission to take part in a debate on “Relaunching the Single Market: State of Play and Challenges Ahead”. All representatives agreed that the Single Market has to function more smoothly and more citizen-oriented. A further harmonisation of the Single Market also found the approval of all parties. However, Green and Social Democrat politicians at EU and national level demand a stronger orientation towards the social dimension of the Single Market and greater consumer protection. In contrast, Liberals and Conservatives urge greater liberalisation.
Michel Barnier, the Commissioner responsible for Internal Market and Services insists on implementing the 12 levers to boost the Single Market
From the point of view of the Internal Market Commissioner Barnier, the EU Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments would cooperate effectively. The Single Market should lead to new growth, more competitiveness and higher employment. In its Communication “Towards a Single Market Act”, the Commission has put up 50 proposals for discussion. From these proposals, 12 levers were identified to boost the Single Market. He briefly explained the individual points and announced that the intention was to present these to the Commission by the end of the year. Another target he named was regaining industrial production capacities.
Waldemar Pawlak, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and representative of the Polish Presidency, referred to the successful process, which had been initiated last week at the Single Market Forum in Krakow. Overall, 5000 visitors took part in the Forum and discussed the Single Market. This would create closer relationships with the citizens. In addition, Pawlak emphasised the importance of recognising professional qualifications and electronic trading.
Jan Wyrowiński, Chairman of the National Economy Committee of the Polish Senate, demands an improved and more efficient Single Market
Growth and employment could only be achieved via the Single Market. One had to do everything in one’s power to prevent Europe from becoming just an area in the grip of austerity measures; one had to ensure that it could grow. Poland wants to be one of the leading countries and invest in contacts with enterprises, citizens and parliaments. The Single Market should be a key instrument for both Polish houses and quickly become reality.
Representatives of the national parliaments support the common Single Market, however, with different emphases
The representatives of the Italian Parliament pointed out that the Single Market was above all concerned with the limited involvement of the citizens. It was often expected that citizens would get information they wanted themselves, and of 25 consultations of the Commission 18 would be published only in English. Apart from that, the formulations of questions and challenges would often be too complicated; hence citizens would not understand them. Therefore, communication had to become more citizen-friendly. It is not just a question of economic but also of political added value.
The Greek representatives declared that restrictions and distortions in the EU had to be overcome. However, the Single Market was a major undertaking: everyone and in particular the citizens had to be involved. One had to learn lessons from what had happened to the banks: liberalisation and obligations had led to the tragic events in Greece. In future, improved market supervision and market regulation would be key aspects. Intelligent politics was needed, not just a big unregulated market - this had to be structured. Banks should fulfil their original tasks in a regulated manner.
Germany’s representatives said that we were at crossroads. What would be needed now were concrete measures for the Single Market. Because the Single Market was Europe’s future. Some parts of Europe were not competitive. For example, more should be possible in the services sector. New industries (green jobs/online trading) were also important. The harmonisation of distance selling also had to be rated as positive; however, there was still uncertainty in respect of cross-border payments and the use of languages. There was still a lot to be done. The twentieth anniversary 2015 would be a good opportunity to continue the work on these issues.
Continuing to strengthen consumer rights and expanding mobility
The rapporteur on the recently adopted Collective Redress Report, Sylvana Rapti (S & D), sees the Single Market as an isosceles triangle of consumers, enterprises and competitiveness. 1608 legislative proposals on the Single Market had been passed in 46 years; however, the Single Market was still far from working smoothly. She in particular emphasised the role of the Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI) and the social dimension of the Single Market, where employment always had to be given priority. In addition, Rapti pointed out that Eurobonds and the Financial Transaction Tax would entail great benefits for consumers and the Single Market.
The Chairman of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament, Malcolm Harbour (ECR), said that the new Consumer Rights Directive, which had been adopted by the Council, was a great step towards implementing consumer rights in the EU. The opportunity of being able to use alternative conflict resolution mechanisms, was to be rated positively. The representative of the Greek Parliament also emphasised the important role of the rights of air passengers in conjunction with the engaging citizens in the Single Market. However, stricter sanctions had to be imposed when companies failed to observe the rights of passengers; otherwise consumer protection would be toothless.
The MEP Emma McClarkin (ECR), rapporteur on the Directive for the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications declared that the EU-wide recognition of professional titles would be essential for the Single Market to function. To achieve this, the potentials of the internet had to be expanded and introducing a European professional card should be considered. Everyone agreed with regard to improving mobility: it had to be strengthened.
Link to background documents of the Single Market policy:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/organes/imco/imco_20111010_1430.htm
From the point of view of the Internal Market Commissioner Barnier, the EU Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments would cooperate effectively. The Single Market should lead to new growth, more competitiveness and higher employment. In its Communication “Towards a Single Market Act”, the Commission has put up 50 proposals for discussion. From these proposals, 12 levers were identified to boost the Single Market. He briefly explained the individual points and announced that the intention was to present these to the Commission by the end of the year. Another target he named was regaining industrial production capacities.
Waldemar Pawlak, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and representative of the Polish Presidency, referred to the successful process, which had been initiated last week at the Single Market Forum in Krakow. Overall, 5000 visitors took part in the Forum and discussed the Single Market. This would create closer relationships with the citizens. In addition, Pawlak emphasised the importance of recognising professional qualifications and electronic trading.
Jan Wyrowiński, Chairman of the National Economy Committee of the Polish Senate, demands an improved and more efficient Single Market
Growth and employment could only be achieved via the Single Market. One had to do everything in one’s power to prevent Europe from becoming just an area in the grip of austerity measures; one had to ensure that it could grow. Poland wants to be one of the leading countries and invest in contacts with enterprises, citizens and parliaments. The Single Market should be a key instrument for both Polish houses and quickly become reality.
Representatives of the national parliaments support the common Single Market, however, with different emphases
The representatives of the Italian Parliament pointed out that the Single Market was above all concerned with the limited involvement of the citizens. It was often expected that citizens would get information they wanted themselves, and of 25 consultations of the Commission 18 would be published only in English. Apart from that, the formulations of questions and challenges would often be too complicated; hence citizens would not understand them. Therefore, communication had to become more citizen-friendly. It is not just a question of economic but also of political added value.
The Greek representatives declared that restrictions and distortions in the EU had to be overcome. However, the Single Market was a major undertaking: everyone and in particular the citizens had to be involved. One had to learn lessons from what had happened to the banks: liberalisation and obligations had led to the tragic events in Greece. In future, improved market supervision and market regulation would be key aspects. Intelligent politics was needed, not just a big unregulated market - this had to be structured. Banks should fulfil their original tasks in a regulated manner.
Germany’s representatives said that we were at crossroads. What would be needed now were concrete measures for the Single Market. Because the Single Market was Europe’s future. Some parts of Europe were not competitive. For example, more should be possible in the services sector. New industries (green jobs/online trading) were also important. The harmonisation of distance selling also had to be rated as positive; however, there was still uncertainty in respect of cross-border payments and the use of languages. There was still a lot to be done. The twentieth anniversary 2015 would be a good opportunity to continue the work on these issues.
Continuing to strengthen consumer rights and expanding mobility
The rapporteur on the recently adopted Collective Redress Report, Sylvana Rapti (S & D), sees the Single Market as an isosceles triangle of consumers, enterprises and competitiveness. 1608 legislative proposals on the Single Market had been passed in 46 years; however, the Single Market was still far from working smoothly. She in particular emphasised the role of the Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI) and the social dimension of the Single Market, where employment always had to be given priority. In addition, Rapti pointed out that Eurobonds and the Financial Transaction Tax would entail great benefits for consumers and the Single Market.
The Chairman of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament, Malcolm Harbour (ECR), said that the new Consumer Rights Directive, which had been adopted by the Council, was a great step towards implementing consumer rights in the EU. The opportunity of being able to use alternative conflict resolution mechanisms, was to be rated positively. The representative of the Greek Parliament also emphasised the important role of the rights of air passengers in conjunction with the engaging citizens in the Single Market. However, stricter sanctions had to be imposed when companies failed to observe the rights of passengers; otherwise consumer protection would be toothless.
The MEP Emma McClarkin (ECR), rapporteur on the Directive for the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications declared that the EU-wide recognition of professional titles would be essential for the Single Market to function. To achieve this, the potentials of the internet had to be expanded and introducing a European professional card should be considered. Everyone agreed with regard to improving mobility: it had to be strengthened.
Link to background documents of the Single Market policy:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/organes/imco/imco_20111010_1430.htm