European Union News - Internal Market

Commission's Vice Presidents Olli Rehn and Antonio Tajani have made a joint statement in which remains the Late Payments Directive, that must have been transposed and applied as of 16 March 2013, does not necessarily apply to the outstanding stock of commercial debt. In particular, in the case of Italy, the authorities have decided that the new rules will apply only to contracts signed since 1 January 2013.

Euro zone leaders welcomed in a statement the political agreement reached with the Cypriot authorities on the cornerstones of the policy conditionality underlying a future macroeconomic adjustment programme. The measures agreed include the introduction of an upfront one-off stability levy applicable to resident and non-resident depositors.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) stressed at the European Consumer Day celebrated on 14 March 2013, that increased consumer confidence and empowerment can help boost the Single Market. It also underlined that there can be no compromise on consumer product safety.

The European Commission announced the creation of a new High Level Group (HLG) to examine the challenges facing the business services sector and the obstacles to a well-functioning single market in this field.

The European Parliament approved a resolution that asks to the European Commission to combat corruption in sports by introducing common penalties for match-fixing. The resolution also urges the European Commission to identify third countries with a view to stepping up collaboration to combat organised crime linked to illegal betting and match-fixing.

The Trade and Investment Barriers Report that will be presented to the European Council on 14-15 March 2013, shows that the efforts of the European Commission to fight protectionism over the last year bear fruit and could create better trade and investment conditions for EU companies. However, the Commission also stressed that the struggle against protectionism continues.

The European Commission presented a new strategy to fight against aggressive commercial practices across the EU to step up enforcement of the rules to increase citizens' trust when shopping in Europe’s internal market.

The European Parliament voted in plenary session its position for negotiations with EU member states on the CAP reform. This will be the first EU farm policy reform shaped by Parliament as a full co-legislator with EU member states. Among other things, the Parliament voted in favour of the publication of beneficiaries of EU agricultural funding and inserted a list of land-owners.

The European Commission presented a project of Directive aimed at establishing a common European framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management in EU Member States, with a view to ensuring that the growth of maritime and coastal activities and the use of resources at sea and on coasts remain sustainable.

The Directive that obliges public authorities to pay for goods and services within 30 calendar days or, in very exceptional circumstances, within 60 days, has to be integrated into member states national law by 16th March 2013. In particular, the Directive intends to end late payments.

The European Parliament adopted in plenary session the agreement reached with the Council on the next round of EU economic governance legislation, the so called “two pack”. According to MEPs, these new rules will do more to deliver growth and the European Commission's new powers to vet Eurozone countries' budgets will be better democratically controlled.