Creation of a European statute for mutual societies
24.10.2013
Question for written answer E-012182-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Nathalie Griesbeck (ALDE)
Over the last few years, Parliament has adopted several resolutions calling for the creation of a European statute for mutual societies. On one occasion, this was following the withdrawal of the March 2006 proposal for a regulation on a European statute for mutual societies.
In March 2011, Parliament adopted a written declaration calling for the introduction of three separate European statutes for mutual societies, associations and foundations respectively. In March 2013, Parliament adopted a report on a European statute for mutual societies, in which it called on the Commission to submit one or more proposals as quickly as possible, to allow mutual societies to operate throughout Europe and across borders. In March 2013, the Commission launched a public consultation on the benefits of a European statute for mutual societies, followed by an impact assessment on 10 July 2013. The consultation was closed in June 2013 and the results were supposed to have been available in September 2013.
1. Can the Commission state when these results will be available?
2. Can the Commission state which way the results of the written consultation are leaning? Do most of the responses lean towards the creation of a European statute for mutual societies? Do the results confirm that a European statute for mutual societies is necessary and would be beneficial (as suggested by the Commission-funded study published in October 2012)?
3. Does the Commission intend to present a new proposal on the subject of mutual societies in Europe? Will this proposal favour the creation of a statute for European mutual societies, in accordance with Parliament’s recommendations? Does the Commission intend to make a new proposal before the end of its mandate?
4. Given that mutual societies in Europe currently face various difficulties and obstacles which prevent them from conducting their business throughout Europe and across borders, does the Commission not think that the absence of a European statute for mutual societies constitutes an infringement of the principles of freedom of establishment, freedom of service provision and freedom of movement in general?
OJ C 228, 17/07/2014