24/10/2011

The Single Market:
A European family matter for more jobs and growth

Philipp Schulmeister, Adviser on Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee

The Single Market Act, drawn up by the European Commission and approved by the Parliament and Council this year, plays a key role in delivering sustainable growth and creating quality employment.

Next to securing peace in Europe for more than 50 years, the Single Market is Europe's main success story and guarantor of welfare. It is a true cornerstone of European integration, however there are still barriers blocking the realisation of the full potential of the EU's Single Market. These barriers, especially in the service sector, are a major obstacle to jobs and growth - they hamper our global competitiveness.

Completing the Single Market to create growth: an urgent task

The EPP Group calls on European Institutions to speed up decision-making on already pending proposals aimed at making the Single Market more competitive, and we place the removal of bottlenecks in the functioning of the internal market among our top priorities.

Andreas Schwab, EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, said: "As the largest political group in the European Parliament, the EPP Group has been the leader of initiatives to set the correct priorities in the Single Market Act. We want to see a true single market for Europe's citizens and businesses alike."

He continued: "Economic growth, social cohesion and sustainability are more than just catchy phrases for us. We want to truly re-launch the Single Market and take it the core of the EU in a framework of balanced partnership and effective governance," he added.

Leveraging the Single Market

At the top of a long list of possible actions designed to stimulate the Single Market, the European Commission has identified 12 priorities to give the European home market a much-needed boost.

Among these priorities, or so called 'levers', we wish to see the following actions decided on and implemented as quickly as possible:

• Simpler and quicker access to capital and finance for the 20 million European SMEs;


• Recognition of professional qualifications that will enable our workers to move more easily in the EU;


• Facilitating alternative dispute resolution to bring businesses and consumers closer;


• Simple and flexible rules of public procurement legislation for more competition and less corruption.

In our view, these legislative proposals must be passed by the end of 2012, and they must be properly implemented so that they can have a real impact in the context of today's economic and financial crisis.

The role of digital

Another main priority is the completion of the Digital Single Market, by 2015 at the latest, by ensuring the pan-European operation of electronic identification and signatures, as well as the cross-border use of online services.

Creating such a Digital Single Market is crucial, as it can be a driver of competitiveness and economic growth by providing high-level jobs. By breaking down barriers for European companies and entrepreneurs, the digital economy can act as a spearhead for achieving a competitive Single Market. By linking the digital agenda with the development of e-commerce and new services such as e-health, e-trade, e-banking and e-learning, Internet and the digital infrastructure can be pivotal in the opening up of the internal market.

The economic and financial crisis is far from over and calls for decisive and effective action. If we want to truly safeguard the prosperity of our societies and economies alike, we have to do more than just address the immediate challenges posed by the financial crisis. We must secure sustainable employment and growth in all EU Member States.

To strengthen our economy, determined action is required.