At its first 2010 meeting, on 14 January, the parliamentary Public Services Intergroup adopted its work-programme for 2010. 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

Priorities for 2010

The intergroup aims to work upon several issues affecting public services, including: the Monti-Kroes package of measures on state aid as compensation of public services; public procurement, concessions and public-private partnerships (PPPs), territorial cohesion, fundamental rights and the implementation of the Services Directive in the Member States.

Next meetings of the Public Services Intergroup:

• 24 February (Brussels) - Lisbon Treaty and Public services:
• Hearing on article 14 and Protocol 26 on SGI;
• Debate on article 14 and legal certainty for SGEI which are not ruled by EU directives.

Guest: Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Nederland (to be confirmed).

• 24 March (Brussels) - Public services in the EU:
• CEEP report on mapping EU public services ;
• Debate on economic and non economic services and on manifest error.

Guest: Ralf Resch (CEEP SG), representatives from the CJEU and DG COMP.

• 5 May (Brussels) - Belgium EU Presidency and public Services:

Guest: a representative from the Presidency

•  16 June (Strasbourg) - Assessment of the Monti-Kroes package on state aids to SGEI:
• Member States assessment reports;
• Follow up of the wide consultation of stakeholders

Guests: representatives from DG COMP, local authorities and stakeholders including sector based representatives (hospitals, social housing…)

• 7 July (Strasbourg) - Transposition of the Service Directive in the Member States:
• Etude comparée du traitement des SNEIG, SIEG et services sociaux dans les lois de transposition des Etats-membres.

Guests: Members of National Parliaments, a representative from DG Markt.

• 8 September (Strasbourg) - Objectives EU2020 and public services.

Guest: José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.

• 6 October (Brussels) - Preparation of the 3^rd forum SSGI (in partnership with the social economy Intergroup):
• Preparation of the 3^rd forum SSIG of the Parliament (27 october 2010)

Guests: Concetta Cultrera, DG EMPL, Representatives from the Belgium EU Presidency, local Authorities and stakeholders

• 10 November (Brussels) - Public tendering, public services concessions and PPP:

Guests: Representatives from DG Markt and local Authorities.

• 15 December (Strasbourg) - Bilan 2010 – perspectives for 2011:
• Bilan 2010, agenda 2011.

For more information contact  Raphaël Delarue at francoise.castex@europarl.europa.eu