Brussels/Strasbourg – During a plenary session in Strasbourg, Members of the European Parliament (EP) deliberated on enhancing the free movement of goods and services within the EU single market to foster growth and prosperity. TASR contacted Slovak MEPs from various political factions to gather their insights on this issue.
Following the release of a report by Mario Draghi on EU competitiveness, MEPs engaged with representatives from the European Commission and the EU Council to identify necessary measures for improving the single market’s functionality. Key discussion points included reducing bureaucracy, enforcing existing regulations, combating fraud, ensuring mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and utilizing digitalization to benefit businesses, workers, and consumers.
EP Vice-President Martin Hojsík (RE/PS) emphasized that national regulations, rather than European laws, pose significant obstacles to prosperity and competitiveness within the EU. “Small Slovak entrepreneurs and their employees are particularly affected. When they aim to sell products and services in the Netherlands, they encounter unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. In addition to adhering to European regulations applicable in Slovakia, they also require Dutch certifications. This situation costs us jobs and economic growth,” he reiterated, echoing his statements made during the EP plenary. He noted that the financial impact on Europeans surpasses the tariffs set by Donald Trump, advocating for a much-needed change in this regard.
Ľudovít Ódor (PS/RE) highlighted the urgency of removing barriers within the single European market, especially as the United States introduces new tariffs against the EU. “The International Monetary Fund estimates that barriers between member states lead to additional costs of 40 percent for goods and up to 110 percent for services. We must act swiftly to eliminate these barriers,” he asserted. He proposed the creation of a ’28th regime’ specifically for technology firms, allowing them to operate under a unified set of regulations across all 27 member states instead of navigating varying national legislations.
EP Quaestor Miriam Lexmann (EPP/KDH) pointed out that persistent internal barriers, such as differing permitting processes and inconsistent forms across member states, are major impediments to strengthening the single market. “These barriers equate to a 44 percent customs burden for goods and exceed 100 percent for services. The excessive administrative and legislative burden creates legal uncertainty and an unclear business environment,” she remarked.
She urged for the EU to evaluate every new piece of legislation based on its impact on competitiveness, a condition she has advocated for since the beginning of her second term with the President of the European Commission. “Often, less is more. When something is ineffective, we should analyze the reasons rather than continuously introducing new legislation,” she conveyed. (October 9)
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