Monti steps up pressure over single market

Date: 24/10/1996

By Rory Watson

NEW moves are being planned to inject some much-needed impetus into the operation of the single market amid fears that reality is failing to live up to expectations.

Internal Market Commissioner Mario Monti, exasperated at government foot-dragging, is finalising plans to cajole member states into honouring commitments to tear down national barriers to goods and services.

He is due to unveil his strategy of combining the threat of high-profile legal action with an offer to help national administrations to implement and enforce EU-wide rules within the next fortnight.

As Commission President Jacques Santer tries to revive his confidence pact, increasing emphasis is being laid on the single market as a spur to growth and job creation.

Industry has complained that large parts of the single market in services, including insurance and public contracts, are not open to full competition.