Report on the Single Market garners wide support
My Own Initiative Report on “A Single Market for Consumers and Citizens” continued to feature prominently in key debates on the EU’s 2020 strategy. After its approval by IMCO, it was tabled at the Parliament where I worked closely with all the main parliamentary groups to accommodate, as far as I could, their requests. The Report was then submitted to a Joint Debate of the European Parliament by its Committee of Presidents, and obtained wide cross-party support when it was approved by the Parliament with a large majority of 578 votes in favour, 28 against, and 16 abstentions.
Subsequently, the Parliament referred to the Report and drew heavily from it when it discussed a Resolution on the EU’s 2020 Strategy. The Parliament was keen on making known to the Council of Ministers its strong views about the strategic ten-year programme to achieve a competitive, social and sustainable European Union. The Parliament has been highly critical of the European Commission’s strategy and considers it less than ambitious and far-sighted. It wants a more coherent strategy aimed at putting people and the protection of the environment at the centre of policy-making, at the same time that it pursues structural reforms.
The Parliament’s views and proposals were consolidated in a resolution co-sponsored by the main political groupings, namely the Socialists & Democrats, European People’s Party, the Liberals & Democrats, and the Greens, which was then adopted. The resolution outlines future flagship initiatives that European institutions, and in particular the Commission, should follow in their future policies to deliver jobs and economic growth over the medium and long term.
Malcolm Harbour, the chairman of the Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, has described my Report as “a wake-up call” to the European Commission and to national governments in preparing the EU’s strategy for the next decade. Michel Barnier, Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, called it “extremely intelligent and useful”. Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli applauded my work and thanked me for the “clear and comprehensive manner” in which I addressed the issues of the Single Market relaunch. Prof Mario Monti, the well-known economist and ex-EU Commissioner, said that it (the Report) is “highly valuable as an input into my own work”.
I am glad that the Report aroused strong interest amongst MEPs and was followed by lively debates, extensive consultations and exchange of views with all parliamentary groups, SME associations, NGOs, and consumer groups. In a Press Conference, Malcolm Harbour described the report as “a really important contribution to the next five years of the Commission’s work on the Single Market”.
New Rights for boat passengers
Ferry and boat passengers in the EU are to have the same rights to compensation as air travellers following a decision by the European Parliament. Under the new regulation, due to enter into force in 2012, ferry and boat users will have the right to assistance and compensation in case of delays and disabled passengers will have the right to free-of-charge help at ports.
Reform of Financial Supervision
The European Parliament has sent a strong message to EU Member States that the only option for effective financial supervision is one based on a thorough reform of the current system, with the establishment of European authorities capable of taking effective action to avert crises and avoid taxpayer bailouts.
There are thousands of working poor in Malta. Should the national minimum wage be increased?
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