The European Parliament Services Intergroup is seeking views from stakeholders on the scope, content and options for implementation of the new responsibility that the Treaty of Lisbon confers to the European Parliament in relation to Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI). Article 14 of the Treaty introduces a generally-applicable legal basis relating to these services giving the European Council and Parliament responsibility for establishing and setting the principles and conditions under which SGEI shall operate in order to fulfill their public service mission.
Interested parties are invited to send their contributions by 15 March 2010 to raphael.delarue@europarl.europa.eu.
Input received will feed into the debates and future legislative proposals relating to the new legal power of the Parliament.
Specifically, input is sought on the following questions:
- Is the new article 14 as a main change in the treatment of Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI) by the Treaty, both from a legal point of view and from an institutional one?
- What could be the “PRINCIPLES which enable SGEI to fulfil their missions” to be established at the EU level on the basis of article 14?
- What could be the concrete “CONDITIONS which enable SGEI to fulfil their missions” to be set at the EU level on the basis of article 14?
- Among the following EU Laws and rulings applying to SGEI, what are the provisions which have a negative impact on the performance of their missions? (including concrete examples)?
- Decision relating to the application of article 86(2) of the EC Treaty to State aid as a form of public service compensation granted to certain undertakings entrusted by an operation of services of general economic interest (COM 2005 267 of 28 November 2005, OJEU L312 of 29 November 2005).
- Community framework relating to State aid as a form of public service compensation (COM 2005 of 28 November 2005, 2005/C 297/04 OJEU C 297/4).
- Transparency in financial relations (Directive 2006/111/EC of 16 November 2006, OJEU L 318/17 of 17 November 2006).
- Services in the internal market (directive 2006/123/ EC of 12 December 2006, OJEU L376 of 27 December 2006).
- Public contracts (directive 2004/18/EC of 31 March 2004, OJEU L134 of 30 April 2004).
- Others provisions
For further information, check the 
consultation document.
About the Services Intergroup
The intergroup mainly deals with Services of General Interest (SGI), including social services of general interest (SSGI). Its key objectives include the promotion of debates and proposals on the new legal power of the Parliament relating to Services of general economic interest (SGEI) and on the need for a clear legal framework for SGEI which are not covered by a sector- based legislation. The intergroup also intends to serve as a place for exchanges between the Parliament, others EU institutions and stakeholders, including national Parliaments and local authorities’ networks in charge of organising and promoting SGEI at local level. This consultation is part of the activities that the group will undertake in 2010, see EP Intergroup priorities for 2010
About services of general interest
The EU notion of Service of General Interest covers the daily actions of public authorities, from employment and water services to education, vocational training, social housing, healthcare, childcare, social security benefits, energy, transports, telecommunications...
For further details, check the Frequently-asked questions document on public services.