Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-04-28-Speech-4-045"
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"en.20050428.6.4-045"2
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".
Mr President, nearly a year has passed since the ten new Member States acceded to the European Union. Since 1 May 2004, the European Union has been by far the biggest internal market in the world, with 25 countries and more than 450 million people. Before May 2004, certain critics stated that the European Union was being enlarged at an excessively fast pace and without adequate preparation, that the candidate countries were still not ready and that everything would end in disaster and tears. In the end, the cataclysm did not happen on 1 May 2004. Enlargement was prepared properly and I should like to add that the new Member States demonstrated a positive stand, efficiency and dedication during preparations for their accession. Today, almost 12 months since the enlargement of Europe, we find that the European Union, and the ten new Member States especially, have made particularly impressive progress. There are numerous aspects and numerous instances of the development of the internal market in the new Member States that one could mention. The Commission is sure that the delegation of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection which is visiting Poland could also cite numerous other such successes.
The Commission would like to thank the European Parliament for this important own initiative report. We are particularly satisfied with the motion for a resolution by the European Parliament on the internal market in the new Member States. Almost one year after the enlargement of the European Union, the report by Mrs Handzlik comments, we are satisfied to note, with a particularly penetrating eye, on the – to a large degree – positive image of the operation of the internal market in the new Member States. The analysis and recommendations contained in the report summarise the achievements and the objectives which will ensure that the internal market operates as smoothly as possible.
Allow me to refer briefly to certain points of the report. The proper transposition of Community legislation is prerequisite to the smooth operation of the internal market. The Member States must perform their duties; some do so very well, others are lagging behind. However, what is truly impressive in the new Member States is the targets which have been attained over the last two years. In particular, the new Member States have done very well in transposing Community legislation into national law. According to the most recent information, Lithuania is top of the league of the 25 Member States, with a transposition deficit of just 1%. Certain old Member States have not done as well. The Member States must address more seriously the 1.5% target, which was agreed at various meetings of the European Council. They must also make a greater effort to ensure that directives on the internal market are transposed correctly and on time. The conclusions of the resolution are absolutely in keeping with the Commission's position including, for example, on the need for more intensive administrative cooperation between the authorities of the Member States, as is already happening in the SOLVIT problem-solving network. These procedures for resolving differences amicably satisfy the market players and make a positive contribution to the operation of the internal market in Europe. It is clear that the new Member States are not confining themselves to pronouncements; on the contrary, they are particularly willing to improve their performance and to create the right conditions for the development of innovation, which is most encouraging. This is precisely the approach that guarantees the success of the internal market. We must not forget that the smooth operation of the internal market is one of the basic preconditions to the achievement of the Lisbon objectives. However, I should like to add that the Commission will need, in turn, to do its job. Instead of producing more and more legislation, we will now need to take advantage of the opportunity to focus on doing less but better work. This includes the simplification of legislation, in close cooperation with the new Member States and with the old Member States, and providing better information and guidance in connection with consumer rights and the opportunities citizens have to work and establish in an enlarged Union. In coming years, we must make the European Union a more attractive location for business activity and investment and the creation of a modern and successful internal market certainly constitutes an important first step towards achieving this objective. We are relying on the support of the European Parliament to face this challenge. To close, I should like to say this: we are optimistic and believe that the new Member States bring new momentum to the European Union and are a breath of fresh air which benefits us all."@en1
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