Go back to the Europarl portal

Choisissez la langue de votre document :

  • bg - български
  • es - español
  • cs - čeština
  • da - dansk
  • de - Deutsch
  • et - eesti keel
  • el - ελληνικά
  • en - English (Selected)
  • fr - français
  • ga - Gaeilge
  • hr - hrvatski
  • it - italiano
  • lv - latviešu valoda
  • lt - lietuvių kalba
  • hu - magyar
  • mt - Malti
  • nl - Nederlands
  • pl - polski
  • pt - português
  • ro - română
  • sk - slovenčina
  • sl - slovenščina
  • fi - suomi
  • sv - svenska
 Index 
 Full text 
Verbatim report of proceedings
Wednesday, 13 June 2012 - Strasbourg OJ edition

Future of the Single Market Act (debate)
MPphoto
 

  Louis Grech (S&D). – Mr President, Europe is at a crossroads. This resolution is a call for economic growth, but, in my opinion, it is also an indication of the frustration which Parliament – and perhaps also the Commission – is experiencing vis-à-vis the effective completion of the single market. It would be deeply sad if, in the fifth year of this legislature, we were to find ourselves churning out yet another resolution on the single market and debating the same problems that were identified in the first year, amongst others, the fragmentation and inadequate application of rules; lack of proper transposition and information; potential of the digital market; the Citizens’ Charter and the lack of resolution on the top 20 concerns; services and professional qualifications, directives, consumer redress and SMEs’ incentives.

Once again, we are discussing the potential of the single market, but citizens are tired of rhetoric and instead want to see the realisation of this potential because the single market is very vital for the European Union. Otherwise, for citizens, unless there is this realisation, this will become nothing more than a meaningless, tired buzzword. Time is running short and the continued unity and integration of the market are being seriously threatened. We are already feeling, unfortunately, the effects of protectionism in various ways.

It is high time the Council came up with more coordinated, urgent specific solutions and decisions concerning the crisis created, after all, by the irresponsible behaviour of some banks. This Parliament and the Commission – especially Commissioner Barnier – have been making specific proposals and initiatives, yet we seem to move very slowly. Citizens cannot go on being disillusioned at one summit after another.

The relaunch of the economy and the single market will need the continued impetus and input and hopefully the leadership of the Commission, and the committed ownership by the Member States. However, and most importantly, it must be a market which is credible, well understood and trusted by citizens, providing Europeans with a realistic and holistic action growth plan in order to achieve a truly competitive, inclusive and social economy.

 
Legal notice - Privacy policy