With the European Commission set to come forward with proposals on the Single Market Act (SMA) next week, the European Parliament today adopted three reports setting out its position (1). The Commission is set to outline a series of concrete initiatives to relaunch the single market. The Greens believe the focus of any reform must be to stimulate the shift towards a more sustainable economy and welcomed the focus on this in the reports adopted today. After the vote, Green MEP Emilie Turunen said:

"Any 'relaunch' of the Single Market must prioritise the shift to a more sustainable economy, through regulation, supporting green innovation and other public support. We welcome that the EP has clearly stressed this in the reports adopted today."

Green MEP Pascal Canfin added:

"In terms of supporting green innovation, we welcome the support of MEPs for the long-standing Green concept of EU bonds for long-term innovation. These bonds should be used to promote innovation in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport, as well as initiatives on the environmental footprint of products. MEPs have also supported more flexible financing tools and fiscal incentives to promote sustainable and ethical investments."

Green MEP Emilie Turunen concluded:

"There is a need to strengthen citizens' and consumer rights in the internal market. To this end, we welcome the EP's calls for better market surveillance and customs controls. We also welcome the calls to strengthen social welfare, workers' rights and working conditions and to improve social, environmental and consumer protection measures."

(1)  Kalniete report on 'Governance and Partnership in the Single Market'; Correia de Campos report on 'A Single Market for Europeans'; Busoi report on 'A Single Market for Enterprises and Growth'.
 
Richard More O'Ferrall,
Press and media officer,
Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament
Mobile: +32-477-443842 - Ph. +32-22841669 (Brussels); +33-388174042
www.greens-efa.eu - http://twitter.com/GreensEP