Call for public services directive gets boost in European Parliament

(Brussels, 19 September 2006) EPSU today joined a broad coalition of organisations in calling for a clear role for public services in the EU. At a seminar organised by the PSE (Party of European Socialists), the 100 plus participants heard a wide range of organisations call for a legal instrument for public services. EPSU clearly illustrated its commitment to the initiative with over 25 national representatives attending under the EPSU umbrella. PSE coordinator on public services, Harlem Desir MEP, drew attention to the EPSU mobilisation stating that ’this capacity illustrates that EPSU can play a vital role jumpstarting grass root support". PSE President Paul Nyrp Rasmussen stated that it was clear that with the services directive likely to pass under the Finnish Presidency, a public services instrument was necessary to ’draw the line’ limiting the reach of the internal market.

All organisations vowed to continue to articulate the need for a legal instrument for public services, and to coordinate campaigns to this end. The European Parliament is due to give its opinion on the European Commission’s white paper on services of general interest on 27 September.

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