Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-11-07-Speech-4-017"
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"en.20021107.1.4-017"2
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"Mr President, I am very pleased that so many interesting views have been put forward in today’s debate.
As I mentioned in my opening speech, we are together making decisions on many proposals affecting the functioning of the internal market and the competitiveness of the EU. It is also important, therefore, that we debate the essential issues of the internal market on an ongoing basis, especially in order to focus on the areas in which it is not working, often to the detriment of the EU’s competitiveness. I have noted the views expressed today. Many people have given examples of areas in which the internal market is still stalling. I can say that I agree with several of these views, and I should like to make the following comments on them.
First of all, I agree with Commissioner Bolkestein and Mr Karas that it is decisively important for the functioning of the internal market – for the benefit of both citizens and businesses – that directives are implemented on schedule. I support the Commission’s work in keeping an eye on this area.
The implementation of directives has top priority in the Council, especially in the Competitiveness Council, which is responsible for legislation on the internal market. We must of course achieve the goal – set by the Heads of State and Government at the Stockholm European Council and then in Barcelona – of implementing 98.5% of the directives by the 2003 spring summit.
As regards the Community Patent, in particular – which of course many have mentioned today – I can only share the widespread concern. It is an extremely important matter. The absence of a breakthrough in the negotiations at the Council meeting on 21 May made it necessary to rethink the strategy in relation to the Community Patent. It was concluded that the Danish Presidency should focus on the judicial system, and we have therefore held discussions in this field on the basis of a consultative document from the Commission that we received in September. The issue of the judiciary, together with other essential parts of the proposal for the Community Patent, constitutes a so-called ‘package solution’, according to the principle that nothing is finally agreed until everything has been agreed. In this connection, I have of course noted Parliament’s position as regards the judicial field. We have included Parliament’s proposals in our deliberations on possible solutions. The Community Patent is a high priority for the Danish Presidency, but despite strenuous efforts it has not been possible to create the necessary basis for a joint draft compromise. The countries are still too far apart, and I should like to say to the Members here that I too am very impatient in this matter. At the meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 14 November, therefore, it will be a case of reviewing the status of the negotiations and working out how we can make headway in this extremely important matter.
Political consensus has now also been reached in the Council on both of the public procurement directives. A technical examination of the proposals is currently taking place, so that they can be forwarded to Parliament together. A number of Parliament’s proposals have been incorporated into the text, including on the possibility of incorporating environmental and social considerations into public procurement contracts. It is my hope that Parliament will approve of the proposals, so that we can see the new, improved, public procurement rules in the EU as soon as possible.
With regard to the internal market for services, in particular, I can tell you that it is anticipated that the Council will adopt conclusions regarding the report on barriers at the meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 14–15 November 2002. There is political support in the Council for the Commission following up the conclusions, and a work schedule has been drawn up under which the Member States and the Commission are committed to a number of supply contracts in 2003. Amongst other things, the Commission will launch a legislative initiative on a system for removing the barriers. The Member States undertake to actively comply with and implement the judgments of the Court of Justice.
By way of conclusion, I should like to express my thanks for the inspiring debate. The Danish Presidency accords the completion of the internal market a very high priority. It is the basis for our being able to realise our Lisbon vision. We are looking forward to continuing our good working relationship with the European Parliament in order that we can succeed in completing the internal market, especially on the basis of enlargement."@en1
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