European Parliament (EP) voted on Wednesday in Strasbourg of
France to approve a directive of the European Union (EU), which
makes it easier for services providers to do business in other EU
countries, closing a chapter on one of the most hotly-disputed
reforms within the EU in years.
The vote lifts the last major obstacle to a reform, which has
for three years fueled an often heated debate about how much
cross-border competition Europe should have in its vast service
sector.
"The European Parliament has put an end to three-year debate on
a directive that ... inflamed a lot of emotions in the EU," said EP
President Josep Borrell.
Following Wednesday's vote, the directive still have to be
formally approved by EU member states, which is expected before the
end of the year. EU member states will then have three years to
adopt the new rules into their national legislation.
The services sector generates at least half the EU's economic
activity and 60 percent of its jobs, but it is still organized
largely along national lines, unlike the market for goods, which is
subject to fierce cross-border competition in Europe.
The European Commission has long argued that reform was
necessary to boost competition, which would in turn fuel faster
economic growth and more jobs.
"It is undeniable that the services directive is an essential
element in our efforts to boost the European economy and unleash
the potential of the internal market for services," Internal Market
Commissioner Charlie McCreevy told the EP in a debate ahead of the
vote.
McCreevy said the reform would provide "a real added value" to
the internal market by cutting red tape, removing barriers and
improving legal certainties for businesses ranging from estate
agents to car rental companies and architects.
(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2006)
