Press Release

03/03/2005

Malcolm Harbour MEP: Commission told to Promote Services Directive

EPP-ED Co-ordinator for the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, Malcolm Harbour MEP, has issued a strong call to the European Commission to start promoting the economic benefits of the proposed Services Directive and to stop disrupting the Parliament's review of this crucial proposal.

Mr Harbour said: "Commission President Barroso must not weaken his strong stance on EU market liberalisation by wobbling over this Directive. This key measure for economic reform and job creation is a central part of the Lisbon reform package that he re-launched barely one month ago. Service companies - particularly SMEs - need strong and effective measures to remove the bureaucratic and anticompetitive barriers that they encounter when they try to exploit their internal market rights.

"It is not the Commission's job to make changes at this stage of the Parliament's first reading, particularly if it attempts to 'water down' the proposal. It has sent it to the Parliament and should await the outcome. It should now promote the benefits and leave it to the Parliament (and the Council) to make any changes that may be needed to clarify and improve it."

For further information:
Malcolm Harbour MEP
Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands, UK
ASP 14E 209, European Parliament, Rue Wiertz, B-1047, Brussels.
Tel: +32 2 2847132, Fax +32 2 2849132

Manor Cottage, Manor Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 2BL
Tel: +44 121 7113158, Fax: +44 121 7113159