This is one of the key proposals mentioned in the CEEP Opinion about the Single Market Act which was adopted yesterday by the CEEP General Assembly. Carl Cederschiöld, President of CEEP said, “Services of general interest are indispensible for a successful re-launch of the single market and growth, but the measures proposed are not sufficient to reach the goals that are being aimed. CEEP has therefore taken the initiative and puts forward additional propositions, altogether called ‘Acquis + for Services of General Interest’”.

This Acquis + is based on the fact that a body of acquis communautaire in the field of “public services – services of general interest” exists, but a series of legal uncertainties still remain to be addressed.

CEEP President Carl Cederschiöld also referred to the last Tripartite Social Summit, which was devoted to growth and jobs in times of fiscal consolidation: “For the first time at the highest level, President Barroso made clear that cutting essential public services is not the way forward to restore confidence and growth.” Mr Cederschiöld continued: “This is indeed an important signal, but it is not enough. Words must be followed by action and we are now witnessing the opposite development in some Member States.”

For further information, please contact:
Ulrike NEUHAUSER, Acting Director of CEEP - tel. +32 (0) 2 219 27 98
CEEP gathers enterprises and organisations from across Europe, both public and private, at national, regional and local level, which are public employers or providers of services of general interest. CEEP members employ a quarter of the EU
workforce; CEEP is one of the three European Social Partners.