Services Directive reaches final stage – EP position prevails

The Services Directive which aims to facilitate the provision of cross-border services by removing obstacles to the free movement of services in the internal marked reached its final stage with the European Parliament approving the Council common position with minor changes on the 15 November 2006. The final position adopted by Parliament broadly reflects the Parliament's first reading position achieving a balance between competition and social protection.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 15.11.06: MEPs vote to open services market http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6149956.stm

European Commission: SPEECH/06/687 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/687&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Finland: EU Presidency: Press Release, 15.11.06: Final Agreement Reached on the Services Directive http://www.finemb.org.uk/public/?contentid=98701&contentlan=2&culture=en-GB

United Kingdom: Department of Trade and Industry: Press Release, 15.11.06: Big boost for business as EU trade barriers slashed http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/detail.asp?ReleaseID=242437&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False

ETUC: Press Release, 15.11.06: The in-depth modification of the Services Directive is a success but the ETUC will continue its action to improve certain areas http://www.etuc.org/a/3058

UEAPME: Press Release, 15.11.06: Services Directive must now clear the implementation hurdle http://www.ueapme.com/docs/press_releases/pr_2006/061115_services_EP_plenary.pdf

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