European Union News - Internal Market

It would improve investment returns and cut costs by generating economies of scale, shifting policy making and spending in cross-border areas such as energy and transport from national to EU level, according to MEPs. In addition, EMU and the single market need a stronger co-ordination of national tax policies.

The review of the “Small Business Act” has been one of the topics discussed at the Competitiveness Council meeting held on 30 May. Among the conclusions, the Council stressed the importance of a simplified, lighter, clear and consistent regulatory and Council administrative environment where SMEs operate on the basis of smart regulation principles.

The European Commission measures proposed were voted by Member States. They aim at ensuring the fluidity of the EU sugar market in the coming months as a further response to this year's exceptional market circumstances. The two measures will now be formally adopted by the Commission in the next weeks.

According to a new study published by the European Commission, more than €5 billion in economic benefits could be gained by reviewing European rules on allocating slots for landing and takeoff at the European Union's busiest airports by 2025. Social benefits are also generated in the form of increased employment.

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, MEP responsible for the report adopted by the Energy Committee in the European Parliament, explained that the main aim of the draft regulation on energy market integrity and transparency (REMIT) is to prevent market abuse and manipulation in the wholesale energy market. The key changes to the proposed regulation is to get the maximum market transparency: minimum penalties and clearer rules.

At the closing day of the conference, “Mobilising SME for the Future of Europe” on 25 May 2011, Zoltán Cséfalvay, Minister of State for Strategy of the Ministry of National Economy asked for more political support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, inaugurated a new network of Member States’ SME Envoys.

While it decreased by 0.6 points to 105.5 in the euro area the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) was broadly unchanged at 105.4 in the EU. The overall decline in the euro area resulted from weakening confidence in all the business sectors, while sentiment improved among consumers.

The Policy Challenges Committee at the European Parliament advocated new income sources for the budget, and call for an end to all rebates, exceptions, and corrective mechanisms. The committee also wants regional policy and agriculture funding to remain at current levels, but increases in investment in energy infrastructure. It also acknowledges that further savings could possibly be made on EU administration.

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, issues data on trade in goods and services and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows between the EU and Japan, with the occasion of the 20th European Union - Japan summit. Between 2000 and 2010, EU27 exports of goods to Japan fell slightly in value from €45 billions to €44 billions, and EU27 imports from Japan decreased by 30%, from €92 billions to €65 billions.

Ms or Mr SME will advocate for the interests of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) in each Member state. They will check the correct application of the EU law on SMEs and ensure that policies at national, regional and local level are enterprise friendly.

According to the Commission, in order to boost creativity and innovation it has been set out "blueprint" for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The new rules will enable inventors, creators, users and consumers to adapt better to the new circumstances created by a technological change and to enhance new business opportunities. The new rules will seek the right balance between promoting creation and innovation, in part by ensuring reward and investment for creators and, on the other hand, promoting the widest possible access to goods and services protected by IPR.