Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-02-14-Speech-2-331"
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"en.20060214.28.2-331"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, this is a huge step for the EU and a small step for free trade. Whether or not it is a step forward will depend on the vote on Thursday. There are too many exemptions, and the principle must not be unduly weakened. It is important for small companies, and it is especially important for small countries. Without added value, the compromise will be worthless. The Commission therefore has a special responsibility in the ongoing work.
EU protectionism that hides itself behind social policy or consumer protection is preposterous. Allow me to give two examples. Anyone wanting to build 25 identical private houses in Germany has to submit 25 plans to the authorities for approval and pay 25 times over, in spite of the fact that it is exactly the same house that is to be built. Is that sensible? No, it is expensive for the consumer and it is absurd. If a group of Swedish tourists goes on holiday to Greece accompanied by a diving instructor, the person concerned must actually be able to speak Greek. Otherwise, he is not allowed to work with, and talk to, a Swedish group in Greece, in spite of the fact that none of the group speaks any Greek. That really is idiotic.
We therefore need better rules for the cross-border trade in services. We can improve this compromise on Thursday by reducing the number of exemptions and also including private health care. We should, then, carry through what the Austrian Presidency says it is seeking, namely an ambitious Services Directive that contributes to increased prosperity for us all."@en1
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