Legislation

In May 2003 the European Commission adopted a Green Paper on Services of General Interest (SGIs) in Europe. This opened a debate on the role of the European Union in promoting the supply of general interest services, in defining their general-interest objectives and the way they are organised, financed and evaluated.

In May 2004 the Commission went on to issue a White Paper on Services of General Interest (SGIs), in which it sets out the approach taken by the European Union to promoting the development of quality general interest services.

The Commission has decided to develop a sector by sector approach without issuing a general directive for the moment.

In the electronic communications sector, the Commission has submitted proposals on the reform of the regulatory framework to the European Parliament and the Council. These proposals, which are required by the present legislation to adapt the framework to technological changes and market developments, aim to enhance competition and complete the European market for electronic communications to ensure that businesses and consumers can provide and use electronic communications in a seamless manner across borders.

The proposed reform builds upon a public consultation launched by the Commission in 2006 on policy options for updating the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications (dating from 2002).

The Treaty of Lisbon The Commission expresses its opinions on the new European commitment on services of general interest following the adoption of a Protocol to be annexed to the Treaty of Lisbon.

Impact of the Lisbon Treaty: at a glance

• The Lisbon Treaty boosts EU influence in the area of services of general economic interest such as electricity and telecoms by providing a legal base to introduce framework legislation.

• A protocol on services of general interest aims to clarify that national, regional and local authorities have wide discretion to provide, commission and organise public services.

• Under Article 16 of the Lisbon Treaty, services of general economic interest will be subject to greater liberalisation, as the Commission will gain new powers to force member states to open specific services to competition.

Related Acts

See European Commission website

• Communication from the Commission, of 26 April 2006, entitled "Implementing the Community Lisbon programme: Social services of general interest in the European Union."

• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, of 12 May 2004, entitled "White Paper on services of general interest."

Web Resources

• Institute of Public Administration website
• General Government Homepage
• Public Service Modernisation Website
• Central Statistics Office
• Committee for Public Management Research