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Articles related to "Services in the Internal Market"

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Commission resists calls for new rules on social services - 02 November 2010

The European Commission sees no need for major changes to EU legislation affecting social services, despite pressure from politicians and social NGOs who claim that current rules cause problems for public authorities and service providers.

Czechs pushing for EU Services Directive implementation - 18 May 2009

The implementation of the Services Directive is critical to boosting cross-border trade, according to the Czech government, which has also pledged to make implementing the Small Business Act a priority of the remainder of its EU presidency. EurActiv Czech Republic contributed to this article.

Services Directive likely to be delayed across EU - 26 November 2008

Eight EU member states are unlikely to transpose the Services Directive into national law by the deadline of 28 December 2009, according to a new survey published this week.

Scaled-down public services proposal under fire - 21 November 2007

The Commission's decision to scale down its ambitions for public service regulation has been met with contempt by trade unions, public employers, NGOs and the Socialist Group in the European Parliament.

Public services 'safeguarded' in draft EU Treaty - 11 July 2007

A broad alliance of organisations, ranging from the Committee of the Regions to trade unions, has welcomed provisions on public services in the draft mandate for the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), which will negotiate a new EU Treaty.

Business backs Commission on dispatched worker rules - 14 June 2007

Proposals to loosen what the Commission describes as "excessive national control measures" on the posting of workers abroad are being acclaimed by business organisations and criticised by trade unions. 

Trade unions want public services protected - 29 November 2006

European trade unions have launched a Europe-wide petition calling on the Commission to establish rules to protect public services that are vital to the health and well-being of citizens.

Parliament concurs with Council on Services Directive - 16 November 2006

The Parliament has adopted, with the votes of its three largest groups, the much-disputed Services Directive, paving the way for the its entry into force in early 2010. It voted against all amendments to a summer 2006 Council compromise.

Parliament to adopt unchanged Services Directive - 09 November 2006

The Parliament is likely to adopt the Council's Common Position on the Services Directive unchanged, following an announcement by the rapporteur not to table any amendments.

Council finds backing on services compromise - 24 October 2006

The Parliament's Internal Market Committee voted, without any amendments, for the Council's Common Position on the Services Directive, making an agreement in second reading more likely.

Services row revisited over general interest directive - 27 September 2006

The Parliament's 26 September 2006 debate on the White Paper dealing with Services of General Interest showed a split along party lines, but also divisions within the larger groups on the need of a framework directive.

Services: Gebhardt and Finnish presidency argue over compromise - 14 September 2006

The draft report for the second reading of the services directive did not go down as well with the Council and Conservative MEPs as the Parliament's rapporteur, Evelyne Gebhardt, had hoped for.

Parliament demands clarity on public services - 13 September 2006

Parliament tells the Commission to clearly distinguish services of 'general interest' from services of 'general economic interest' and to adopt legal rules accordingly.

Council backs Commission on services - 26 July 2006

Following a political agreement at the end of May 2006, the Council adopted its common position on the directive on services in the internal market. The directive will go into second reading in the Parliament in autumn.

Panel on the services directive: a “good compromise” - 15 June 2006

At a conference organized by Confrontations Europe on 8 & 9 June, stakeholders and politicians discussed the revised services directive, illustrating the historic roots of the debate and the remaining open questions.

General applause for services compromise - 31 May 2006

The political agreement on the Services Directive brokered by the Competitiveness Council on 29 May has met with general applause, raising the hope for a final deal before the recess.  

Ministers reach deal on services directive - 30 May 2006

EU ministers have approved the draft legislation to open up the internal market for services. The new law, which will now return to Parliament for second reading, is one of the key elements of the EU's growth and jobs strategy.

Commission lays out social services scheme - 28 April 2006

In a Communication on Social Services of General Interest (SSGI), the Commission has defined what it understands by the term and outlined its position. The paper does not deal with health services, nor does it contain any policy initiatives.

Council backs Parliament on Services - 25 April 2006

The informal Competitiveness Council has signaled that the Council's Common Position on the Services Directive will be along the same lines as the Parliament's 16 February 2006 vote.

Commission investigates national restrictions on sports betting - 07 April 2006

Following complaints from sports betting service providers, the Commission is set to verify the national restrictions on sports gambling in place in several EU member states.

Parliament reservedly positive on new services proposal - 06 April 2006

Parliament has reacted positively, though not enthused, to the Commission's second proposal on the disputed services directive. Stakeholders say they still want to see it amended.

Commission to follow suit with Parliament on Services - 03 April 2006

The Commission's revised proposal for the directive on services in the internal market will be presented to Parliament on 4 April 2006 by Commission President Barroso. It will have very little in common with the former Bolkestein proposal.

Parliament under German spell? - 01 March 2006

As Angela Merkel celebrates her one hundredth day as the German Chancellor, the British liberal MEP Graham Watson accuses her government of keeping the European Parliament under Berlin command.

Absence of EU rules on gambling generates national court cases - 27 February 2006

The international sports betting business is disappointed of gambling being left out of the services directive. As the legal situation in the sector remains unclear, a new court case is under preparation in Italy.

Cheers and jeers for services vote - 17 February 2006

Stakeholders have reacted strongly to the Parliament's 16 February 2006 vote on the Services Directive. While political decision makers, trade unions and NGOs are happy, businesses are less so.

Conservatives and Socialists vote Services Directive through - 16 February 2006

Against the votes of all other groups and many of their own MEPs, the Parliament's two biggest group have managed to get the disputed 'Bolkestein Directive' adopted in the EP plenary.

Cracks start showing in services coalition - 15 February 2006

Ahead of the crucial vote on 16 February 2006, Conservative MEPs from the new member states and socialists from France and other countries, say they will not vote for the compromise amendments on the Services Directive agreed between senior MEPs of both groups.

Hold firm on services, six countries tell McCreevy - 13 February 2006

The governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK have sent a letter to Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, urging him not to cave in to the Parliament on the services directive. 

Doctors are opposed to inclusion of health in services directive - 07 February 2006

As the vote on the services directive in the Parliament's plenary approaches, MEPs are facing one last lobbying effort. While medical practitioners are opposed to the draft law, patients' associations would like to have health services included.

EU leaders: Services Directive the most important issue in 2006 - 11 January 2006

Leading figures from the Austrian Presidency, the Commission and the Parliament agree that the Services Directive will be one of the most important issues of the new year.

Services: unions east and west criticise country of origin principle - 07 December 2005

Trade unions from the EU's old as well as the new member states are opposed to the version of the services directive adopted in the Parliament's Internal market and consumer protection (IMCO) committee on 22 November 2006.

Mixed reactions to vote on Services Directive - 23 November 2005

The Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection has adopted the report on the Directive on Services in the Internal Market, maintaining the disputed country-of-origin principle.

Feelgood summit fails to make real progress - 28 October 2005

The informal Hampton Court summit indicates tough challenges ahead on the EU budget for Tony Blair 

EP vote on Services Directive postponed - 05 October 2005

The EP's internal market committee has postponed its key vote on the controversial Services Directive in order to simplify the complex list of 1,500 amendments.

Services Directive: MEPs get ready for marathon vote - 04 October 2005

The controversial 'Bolkestein' directive on opening up the European market for services will be put to a first key vote in the Parliament's lead committee. Over 1,100 amendments have been tabled.

EP committee votes for services to be more 'social' - 15 July 2005

The Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee has voted for amendments to the so-called Bolkestein directive in order to make the proposal more 'socially sustainable'.

MEP proposes watered down services directive - 15 April 2005

By doing away with the country of origin principle and introducing wide exemptions for services of general interest, MEP rapporteur Evelyne Gebhardt is trying to cool tempers.

Bolkestein in Paris to ward off critics - 07 April 2005

The former commissioner whose name is now associated in France with ultra-liberalism was in Paris to quell fears that the draft services directive will lead to social dumping and fuel opposition to the EU Constitution.

EP services rapporteur wants to scrap 'country of origin' principle - 25 March 2005

The disputed 'country of origin' principle in the services directive should be replaced by rules of 'mutual recognition', says the MEP who will present amendments in a report in April.

'Bolkestein directive' to stay, but will be watered down - 23 March 2005

EU leaders have agreed to introduce far reaching changes to the Bolkestein directive to preserve the European social model. But the changes will be introduced within the normal course of the legislative process, at a later stage.

Ahead of summit, views clash on how to reach EU Lisbon goals - 22 March 2005

While the objectives of growth, jobs and sustainability raise little controversy, views differ sharply on how to reach them. The row surrounding the Bolkestein directive and the upcoming crucial French referendum will leave little room for manoeuvre.

Bolkestein: Fear of social dumping is idiotic - 22 March 2005

Former Commissioner Frits Bolkestein, whose name is now synonymous with the controversial services directive, is annoyed by the debate, and will soon travel to Paris to defend the directive.  

Chirac urged to act as dark clouds gather over Constitution - 21 March 2005

The second poll in a week has projected doom for the EU Constitution in France when the nation goes to a referendum on 29 May. Pro-Constitution politicians will now be shifting up a gear.

France: support for Constitution on the wane - 17 March 2005

According to fresh research, public support for the EU Constitution is dropping in France. Simultaneously, the debate over the services directive is picking up steam.

Barroso on Lisbon reforms: a battle between "modernisers and reactionaries" - 15 March 2005

In a frank speech defending his liberal reforms agenda, Commission President Barroso has announced a study on the economic costs of 'non-Lisbon'.

Freezing of EU services directive “not fair”, says Hungarian minister - 10 March 2005

The delocalisation problem is overblown and the freezing of the services directive is unfair, says Hungary’s socialist minister of European affairs, Etele Baráth in an exclusive interview with EurActiv.

Commission struggles with services directive - 04 March 2005

Heavy pressure by France and Germany has made the Commission beat a retreat on the services directive. Commissioner McCreevy has announced a major overhaul of the proposed plans.

Raffarin and Schröder challenge services directive - 11 February 2005

In talks with Commission President Barroso, France's prime minister has reiterated his concerns with the EU's draft services directive. Next week, German Chancellor Schröder is set to follow suit.

France wants full review of services directive - 03 February 2005

Citing fears of social and fiscal dumping French President Chirac has demanded that the so called Bolkestein directive on services should be given a total overhaul.  

Services Directive will hinge on 'country of origin' principle - 26 November 2004

In a first discussion on the draft Services Directive, the Competitiveness Council has expressed particular concerns about the 'country of origin' principle and its impact on health services in the EU.

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