Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-12-13-Speech-3-191"
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"en.20001213.7.3-191"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner Bolkestein, it is extremely important for the future of Europe that those involved in the information society in Europe are on an equal footing with those players in countries outside the EU. We who make the policy decisions in the EU must not, through our own actions, weaken European competitiveness. As, for example, Mr Schmidt said in his speech, we must comply with what was agreed at Lisbon and do all we can to strengthen the dynamism of the European Union. If we are too greedy in this matter now under discussion we will really be jeopardising the future of e-business, which is so important for Europe.
Naturally, I agree with the Commission’s proposal and with all my colleagues who have spoken here today that the distortion of competition that now exists in the market must be eliminated as soon as possible. This distortion can be eliminated in two ways: either by imposing the same tax obligations on companies that come from third countries as on their European counterparts, or by also exempting European companies working in this field, which is just being developed, from VAT. When we also consider the unsolved problems referred to by many others with regard to the aforementioned Commission proposal, as a result, for example, of monitoring the system, verifying where the assessment of taxes took place, distributing tax revenues fairly, and other factors, I am convinced that, at this stage, it would be more reasonable to adopt the line the minority were in favour of in the committee discussion. I therefore support those who want to totally exempt European companies from tax on electronic products, for the present at least.
Neither do I really understand the argument that products that are supplied electronically should be treated in just the same way as traditional products. Mrs Randzio-Plath, for example, said this. In my opinion, reading the morning paper in a street café is quite different from reading it on the Internet where you work. We are talking about a different product."@en1
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