Europe must have a single market in services in order to compete globally, according to Charlie McCreevy, Europe's Internal Market Commissioner . He was speaking at the launch of a new international MBA at Waterford Institute of Technology today.
Commissioner McCreevy explained the need for a single services market and how the Services Directive would help growth and jobs across the EU. He explained that if the amended Services Directive gets the political support it needs, member states will be required to significantly simplify their rules on how a business can be set up.
The proposal says that service providers should be allowed to access other markets and to exercise their activities there. 'The directive sets out under which specific conditions restrictions are possible and ensure that users of services get more information on service providers and the services they offer,' McCreevy said. 'What the proposal does not deal with is workers moving from one country to another or labour law issues, such as salaries and social conditions,' he continued.
He added that many services are knowledge and skill intensive. 'That is where their added value lies. If we are to be competitive globally, we must make sure that we can compete in the areas where we are strong. Europe's strength lies in knowledge and specialised skills. That is why education is crucial.'
Meanwhile, EU leaders agreed today to water down the directive. Last month the European Parliament diluted the bill amid protests from trade unions, removing the principle under which service-providers could work everywhere in the EU on the basis of their home country laws. The Commission will present a revised draft of the bill on April 4.
