UPN, Alm.del - 2012-13 - Bilag 7: Brev fra formanden for DER vedr. implementering af DERs beslutninger med særligt henblik på job- og vækstpagten og Single Market Act

In June, we agreed on the Compact for Growth and Jobs. It allows us to focus our efforts and have acoherent approach on priority measures in all areas which contribute significantly to growth. But akey element is implementation; our commitments will not make the Union return to growth unlessthey are followed by decisive action. Concrete delivery is crucial both for the credibility of ouractions in the eyes of the European citizens and for ensuring coherence of the instruments we aredeveloping.I have kept a close eye on the progress made over the past months, in particular as regards theSingle Market. Within the European Council, we have set the objective for all twelve priority leversof the Single Market Act (SMA) to be adopted by the end of the year. As that deadline is drawingcloser, the picture is mixed as regards the state of play.

The Danish and Cyprus Presidencies have made intensive and commendable efforts. Thestandardisation proposal was already adopted. We are also likely to see the adoption by the end ofthe year of the accounting directive, of dispute resolution for consumers, of venture capital andsocial entrepreneurship funds and of the unitary patent, provided that the current rhythm isintensified and that there is sufficient flexibility on the side of both legislators.Other measures of the Single Market Act are however more problematic; in spite of the high levelof ambition of the Presidency, progress is slow in some cases and delays now appear likely on anumber of priority measures. In the absence of further efforts from all sides, there is a risk that onlyhalf of the levers of the SMA will be agreed by December.Thus, intensive work and horizontal policy choices are still required on the public procurementpackage, in order to reach at least a general approach in Council by the end of the year. Progress isalso slow on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, where prospects are fading for anagreement within the Council and for starting negotiations with the European Parliament by the endof the year. On posted workers, the efforts of the Cyprus Presidency to reach a general approach byDecember require collective support. On these three files, further flexibility and an acceleratedtimetable on the side of the European Parliament would also be required in order to reach the end-year target set by the European Council.The Trans-European Networks for transport, telecommunications and energy represent another setof priority files for the single market, which is linked to the progress in negotiations on theMultiannual Financial Framework. On transport and telecommunications TENs in particular, thecurrent work timetable of the European Parliament may entail negotiations running into early 2013.

Nevertheless, if we muster sufficient political will, agreement could be reached on most of thesefiles towards the end of the year or early next year. Finally however, a delay is all but certainregarding e-signature, due to upstream delays in the presentation of the proposal; since this measureis important for the digital single market, work should progress rapidly towards its adoption as earlyas possible in 2013.As we are preparing to welcome the second Single Market Act of the Commission, I would appealto all of you for further efforts from all Member States and from the European institutions to assistin the efforts of the Cyprus Presidency and conclude the measures of the first Single Market Act assoon as possible. Each of these levers is relevant for growth, but their articulation increasesmanifold the overall impact of the package, and increases our collective chances for a rapideconomic recovery and a more competitive Europe.Many other measures of the Compact for Growth and Jobs represent urgent priorities; themodernisation of Europe's copyright regime including the facilitation of licensing and the adoptionof the 'two-pack' are but two examples. We also need to accelerate the implementation of the agreed120 billion euro package to boost the financing of the economy, in particular as regards the capitalincrease of the European Investment Bank and the mobilisation of structural funds to supportgrowth, employment, competitiveness and convergence, including within the next MultiannualFinancial Framework. There should be concrete follow-up steps to the Commission's Employmentpackage and to the commitment to strengthen the vacancies portal EURES.

Given the crucial importance of the Compact for Growth and Jobs, we will take stock of itsimplementation at the coming European Council meeting. In this context I support the initiative ofthe Cyprus Presidency to hold a discussion on the overall implementation of European Councilconclusions at the October General Affairs Council. In line with this approach and drawing on theconclusions of these discussions, I will continue to bring to your attention regularly an assessmentof progress in priority areas ahead of our upcoming meetings.