Activities of Stelios KOULOGLOU related to 2021/2043(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the single market
Amendments (22)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
— having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs for the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection on strengthening the single market: The future of free movement of services (2020/2020(INI)),
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the functioning of the single market is a shared responsibility between the EU and the Member States, where differences in interpretation and application of EU law are inevitable;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the current Commission has not yet come forward with a comprehensive legislative package addressing failures in the exercise of the core freedoms of the single market beyond enforcement, other than digital initiatives; whereas Parliament and Council failed to adopt the core initiatives of the 2016 Services Package;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the COVID-19 crisis has been a shock both to production and consumption, and shed light on an exacerbated existing shortcomings in the protection of posted workers and has reshaped domestic and cross-border activities; whereas some of these effects may be temporary, but others will have lasting consequences on the shape and needs of the single market;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the term non-tariff barriers (NTBs) relates to excessive, unjustified, disproportionate and discriminatory regulatory action; therefore, it should clearly be distinguished from Member States´ justified measures in the name of public interest objectives, such as protection of public policy, public health, public security, consumer protection, combatting the rental housing shortage, and prevention of tax evasion and avoidance;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesTakes note of the Single Market Governance Package of March 2020, which aims to improve the implementation and enforcement of European legislation; considers that it is only a partial answer to the deficiencies hampering the proper functioning of the common market, especially regarding the goals of the Paris Agreement and the European Pillar of Social rights;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the single market remains one of the European Union’s greatest achievement; urges the Commission, therefore, to refocus resources at issues plaguing the single market, in particular non-tariff barriers (NTBs), which continue to limit opportunities for consumers and businesseon the proper functioning of the single market and the protection of public policy interests;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the achievement of the objectives in the Green Deal and European digital agendas is basrelated ton the effective functioning of the single market, which is a key enabler of market efficiency and innovation and a tool for modernising European economies; believes, therefore, that the single market’s shortcomings deserve at least the same level of attention as the Green Deal and the European digital agenda; reaffirms its own commitment to developing and safeguarding a robust, consumer- and business-friendly internal marketreaffirms its own commitment to developing and safeguarding a robust, consumer-, worker-, business- and environment-friendly internal market supporting a socio-ecological just transition;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges that certain NTBnon-tariff measures can be justified and originate from multi- level governance; urges the Member States, where such NTBs are absolutely essential, to ensure their proportionality and strict alignment with legitimate public policy objectives; considers it therefore necessary to highlight that only unjustified, disproportionate and discriminatory NTBs need to be addressed while clearly acknowledging that Member States may use overriding reasons relating to the public interest for the protection of their domestic market and thus cannot be addressed as NTBs;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – introductory part
Paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Points out that the Commission and stakeholders have identified a group of keyWhile Member States may use overriding reasons relating to the public interest for the protection of their domestic markets, the Commission and stakeholders raise concerns in view of unjustified barriers to cross-border activities, among them:
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
Paragraph 6 – point a
a) unjustified and disproportionate regulatory disparities and inconsistent implementation of EU law, which force companies to commit resources to the laborious process of analysing provisions that are harmonised at EU level, diverting investments away from activities that create jobs or support growth;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point c
Paragraph 6 – point c
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that the NTBs severely impact the services sector and thereby other segments of the economy underpinned by the services sector; highlights that in its report, the Commission was able to identify 24 specific restrictions across 13 sectors which breach rules established by the Services Directive, including some which are discriminatory or are requirements on establishment or nationality4 ; whereas a focus solely on restriction neglects the necessity to ensure a good quality of services striving for sustainable and inclusive growth guaranteeing social rights, workers’ rights, consumer and environmental protection and access to health and safety; _________________ 4 Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Mapping and assessment of legal and administrative barriers in the services sector, summary report, Brussels, April 2021.
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that a considerable number of problemchallenges with the cross-border provision of services stem from a lack of information and support in relation to administrative practices introduced by the country of destination, and not from incompatibility with EU law with a view to ensure the effective monitoring of compliance with and enforcement of applicable rights and obligations;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises the insufficient use of the notification procedure under the Services Directive; calls on the Commission to reflect on improving this framework, possibly by means of a new initiative which would increase clarity and transparency on the measures that need to be notified, while remaining cautious in order to not undermine the Services Directive and avoiding the situation which led to the withdrawal of the previous proposalwhile remaining cautious in order to not undermine the Services Directive and to fully respect Member States´ right to take measures related to public interest objectives;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that mutual recognition of pRecalls that the Professional qQualification is seriously affected by administrative barriers imposed by Member Statess Directive is built on the principle of equal treatment and the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of nationality;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is concerned by the insufficient access to information on mobility of services, as well as by the burdensome procedures to obtain essential documents such as the A1 form; underlines that access to information, such as on domestic collective agreements where applicable and relevant, should be improved to facilitate compliance for businesses and ensure the respect and enforcement of workers’ rights;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that the international road haulage sector is subject to a number of NTBs restricting access to national markets, which limit its competitiveness, discriminate against transport companies from certain Member States and increase emissions; calls on Commission and Member States to abolish unnecessary restrictions on cabotage, and calls for the opening of the freight and passenger transport services sector within the EU;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Considers that while addressing NTBs in the internal market, measures adopted in accordance with legitimate public interest objectives of Member States must be respected in order to ensure a good quality of services striving for sustainable and inclusive growth, guarantee social rights, workers’ rights, consumer and environmental protection and access to health and safety;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recalls that throughout the regulatory lifecycle, Member States and the Commission must share the responsibility of ensuring that single market rules are complied with in line with the Paris Agreement and the European Pillar of Social Rights and that citizens’ rights, are enforced;