European Union News - Internal Market

The European Commission warned that it will launch infringement procedures against member states for all the Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) which are not yet fully compliant with all legal requirements. It will also present a new package of legislative measures in Spring 2013 to accelerate reforms and ensure the full delivery of a Single European Sky.

The political agreement already reached between the European Parliament and the Council to reform the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has been officially ratified by the Council. The main objectives of the reform are to increase the efficiency of OLAF's investigation, to strengthen cooperation between the office and the competent authorities of the member states and third countries, and to increase OLAF's accountability.

The Council conclusions on renewable energy adopted on 3 December set out a set of priorities among which included the internal electricity market opening, a better market integration of renewable energy sources, more cooperation and trade between member states, and the adoption of the energy infrastructure package as soon as possible.

The Permanent Representatives Committee of the Council endorsed the agreement reached with the European Parliament on 27 November 2012 on the regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure. To enter into force it still needs formal approval in the Parliament (early 2013) and in the Council (after the plenary vote in the Parliament).

MEPs adopted a resolution on the new programme for SMEs (known as COSME) which explicitly sets as goals to reduce the number of days to set up a new SME to three, cutting start-up costs to €100 and having a one-stop shop for business start-ups in all member states.

The European Commission presented a Blueprint for a 'deep and genuine' Economic and Monetary Union. According to the Commission, implementing this Blueprint will mean that all major economic and fiscal policy choices by Member States would be subject to deeper coordination, endorsement and surveillance at the European level.

The Industry, Research and Energy Committee broadly supported six draft laws on the EU's framework research programme, Horizon 2020, to be financed under the new long-term budget for 2014 to 2020. According to MEPs, Europe needs further investment in research and innovation.

According to the European Commission, an efficient delivery and return system is key to facilitating further growth in e-commerce and therefore consumer choice and convenience. It has therefore launched a public consultation to gather opinions to boost the transnational delivery system on the e-commerce in the EU.

The European Commission presented its Annual Growth Survey for 2013 in which sets out five priorities designed to guide Member States through the crisis to renewed growth. The Survey also shows that tough EU policies are beginning to show results, continued reform is needed to generate sustainable growth and jobs.

Dishonest business practices based in false or misleading communications that can lead to scams are becoming increasingly common. Small businesses are generally more vulnerable to this type of frauds and have also more difficulties to react if they are victims of such scams. In order to tackle these kind of behaviours, the European Commission has adopted a series of actions that will inform a legislative proposal in 2013.