23 Amendments of Kyriacos TRIANTAPHYLLIDES related to 2010/2011(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. Whereas at the same time, efforts to harmonise legislation to overcome these obstacles, have sometimes led to over- regulation from which the majority of SMEs, in particular the micro-entities who do not wish to operate at the European market but prefer to remain active locally, as well as local governments have had adverse effects, and therefore better regulation is called for with a minimum of administrative burdens,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the liberalization in the single market has led to increased prices, lower quality and fewer services.
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas, thea new EU 2020 Strategy should set realistic targets for achieving a green, knowledge-based economy and sustainable growth by 2020; whereas the cornerstone of the EU 2020 Strategy should be the single European market, with the challenges of social jusis needed which will promote economically, socially and environmentally sound sustainable development throughout the European Union; whereas the cornerstone is an integrated EU strategy for Social Justice, Sustainability and Solidarity based on mutually supportive economic, social and environmental pillars steered by a democratice and participatory process of socio-economic growthovernance and a focus on benefits to citizens, consumer protection and SMEs,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Considers that the focus on "competitiveness" and "cost cutting" underlying the Lisbon Strategy also aggravated the severe economic imbalances within the euro-zone (countries with large export surplus against countries with large current account deficits) and within the EU more generally, undermining the EU's economic, social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses that the business-oriented functioning of the Internal Market, especially during the last decade, has contributed to increased social inequalities; highlights that the privatization of services, together with a policy that stimulates greed and a focus on short-term profits, has led to the current financial and economic crisis;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Believes that a human-centred approach should replace the exclusive emphasis of single market on business competiveness and labour-costs reduction policies that led to the gradual deterioration of peoples' income and rights.
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Maintains that revitalisation of the single market requires the introduction of more adequate checks and balances to guarantee citizens and consumers the necessary protectionat the core of the new strategy there needs to be an alternative programme, reshaping and strengthening consumer protection programmes of the Member States; considers that a citizen- based approach will not only help the Union to win back popular confidence in the single European market andbut also to find the right formula for the adoption of initiatives to give the Union the competitive edge it needs, without prejudice to the social dimension;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Takes the view that the major challenge facing the Union is to find a balance between an open economy,the right level of regulation, so that the single market is capable of stimulating economic growth and job creation, and an economic system whichbut is equally up to the task of delivering consumer protection and the social and environmental safeguards that citizens need;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Urges that, in the digital era, the Union must fully realise the potential and opportunities offered by the Internet and e- commerce for further development of the single market and, together with Member States, take all necessary steps to overcome the digital divide and make internet available to all European citizens; emphasises that the development of new technologies must take into account the need to protect citizens, consumers and SMEs;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Endorses initiatives taken by the Commission to prioritisomote research, knowledge and innovation in any future strategy; expects that sufficient funds will be allocated in successive Union budgets in order to address these crucial matters will be given high priority;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Emphasises that, in order to secure the social backing and cooperation of European citizens, the EU and national institutions must radically change popular perceptionscitizens should be better informed on the scope of their rights and benefits in the framework of the single market by making peopland of the aware of and able to understand the benefits it offers themys to effectively claim these rights;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that some of the most evident problems encountered by consumers, especially in the services sector, are: (1) lack of access to comparable and objective information, including price comparisons; (2) complexity in contractual relations; (3) uncertainty concerning payment and redress; and (4) lack of awareness and confidence in the system12 ; (5) the continuous increase in prices and (6) lower quality and fewer services;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Deplores the fact that the single market, among all other aspects, has not resulted reductions of prices in favour of the consumers; believes that consumers' rights should be reinforced and benefit from price reductions; highlights that these reductions should not be to the detriment of workers' rights;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Stresses that the main responsibility for unfair pricing of products in the internal market lies with businesses and the practices they follow in order to maximise their profits; believes that a responsible approach by the business world with respect for the principle of corporate responsibility, the rules of competition and consumers' economic interests will help inspire confidence in consumers, the least that is required if consumer protection is to be enhanced;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Affirms that SMEs form an essential part of the backbone of the European economy and are the main drivers for job creation, innovation, economic growth and social cohesion in Europe; contends that the active participation of SMEs in an enlarged EU is imperative in making the single market more competitive;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Will back future joint initiatives by the Commission and the Member States to: (1) support small businesses operating across borders throughout the EU; (2) effect a tangible reduction in administrative, financial and regulatory burdens, particularly the administrative hurdles faced by SMEs, irrespective of whether they operate locally, nationally or at European level, in accordance with the principle of proportionality;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Stresses that violations of consumer rights are inextricably linked with the lack of accountability on the internal market; calls on the Commission to take steps to inform consumers in this area; calls on the Commission to adopt legislation that will help protect consumers' economic interests; calls on the Member States to strengthen the measures and the bodies responsible for supervision of the internal market;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Suggests to the Commission that the single market strategy should comprise four main stages: the first to include an evaluation or health check of the current situation to assess the degree of distortion and strain that the various stakeholders in the single market have suffered as a result of the crisis; the second to see the launch of a consolidation process, tying up loose ends; the third to entail development and improvement of the single market; and the fourth to concentrate on the longer-term vision of the market (EU 2020 Strategy) based on specific and measurable social goals (eradicating poverty and social exclusion, full employment with ‘decent work’, social and territorial cohesion across the EU, equity, social welfare) reflecting the interest of European citizens;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Encourages the Commission to bring forward a proposal for a single market legislative package by May 2011 – well ahead of the adoption of its announced 2012 single market programme – putting social policy and consumer protection at the centre of the single market to achieve the desired aim of a highly competitive social market economy, which would at the same time ensure a credible level playing field away from the focus on short-term profit of especially big enterprises;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51a. Calls on the Commission to include to its single market legislative proposals for Member States specifically aimed at combating economic exploitation of consumers; such as restoring, at European level, the right of Member States to control the prices of basic goods;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
56. Is of the opinion that the Commission needs to undertake an evaluation of the Service Directive to determine whether it has achieved its main goals, whether there have been any adverse side effects, in particular in the field of social rights and how these can be addressed, and to treat the issue as a matter of urgency;