Press Release CP CES83-2007 CP EN

European Economic and Social Committee

European Economic and Social Committee

Rethinking the principles of a single market for the future with the participation and in the interests of all Europeans

The Single Market Observatory (SMO) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a public hearing on Friday 14 September 2007 in Porto (Portugal) on the Review of the single market – Findings and views of Portuguese organised civil society. The hearing was opened by Commissioner Charlie McCreevy and Ms Elisa Ferreira, Member of the European Parliament.

During the hearing,Mr Jorge Pegado Liz, president of the SMO, spoke about the stages of European integration up to the new treaty which he felt called for particular vigilance as regards its impact on the functioning of the single market. He called on all stakeholders to rethink the principles of a single market for the future with the participation and in the interests of all Europeans.

Mr Bernardo Hernández Bataller, president of the EESC's Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, described the Committee as a catalyst for civil society awarenesspromoting responsible and carefully thoughtout decisionmaking.

CommissionerMcCreevyunderscored the EESC's contribution to the review of the single market which advocated a balance between economic and social aspects and sustainable development to show that the single market is not an abstract concept and that it is at the service of Europeans. A coherent and open Europe, characterised by the mobility of its citizens, is the appropriate response to the challenge of globalisation.

The commissioner also referred to the efforts undertaken in conjunction with Member States to implement the practical measures set out in the services directive by the end of 2009. He stressed the imperative need for cooperation between national administrations so that the improvements containedin the directive could be put into action. He drew attention to disparities in market access, especially for workers from the new Member States, despite the fact that mobility is beneficial to both employment and wage trends. He was pleased that Portugal had lifted its restrictions in May 2006, and announced that an action plan for labour mobility would be presented by the end of the year.

In light of the Green Paper of May 2007, Mr McCreevy judged that retail financial serviceswere an excellent example of the Commission's new approach to the interests of consumers. This incorporates a consultation process and aims to formulate proposals to improve financial services and insurance in terms ofchoice and consumer rights.

Ms Elisa Ferreira, MEP, spoke about the three dynamic principles set out in the Parliament's report on the review on the single market: cooperation, solidarity and competition. She believed that it was necessary to carry out a review of the single market and clean up existing legislation, while stressing the proper implementation of Community legislation by Member States.

The enlargement of the single market should not be detrimental to the interests of disadvantaged citizens, and Ms Ferreira argued for a generalisation of the principle of country of origin. She deplored the lack of transparency in financial services and emphasised vigilance as regards citizens' rights and competition in the insurance sector. She also highlighted the role of SMEs in the consolidation of the European area. Ms Ferreira concluded by drawing attention to the international dimension of the single market, and the challenges and expectations as regards competition with the emerging economies.