The draft Services Directive

1
The draft Services Directive

• Committee /Executive Board Meeting
• 13 14 June 2005

2
Main problems

• Some aspects of the education sector would be
  subject to new trade provisions in the EU
  internal market
• Unclear definition of what kinds of education
  activities would be covered by the Directive
• Education considered an area of economic
  interest, less the responsibility of the State
• The division of competences between the EU and
  Member States would be disturbed

3
Status of examination in Parliament and Council

• European Parliament 9 committees involved
• Main Rapporteur is proposing to exclude education
  as part of excluding Services of General Interest
  and Services of General Economic Interest
• Exclusion of education
• Provided as part of the national education system
• Provided or funded, wholly or in part, by the
  State
• Subject to specific public service obligations
• Commercial in nature, but pursuing a general
  interest objective
• Disagreements in EP

4
Status of examination in Parliament and Council

• Arguments used by MEPs
• Education is the competence of Member States
• Education promotes social cohesion and cultural
  diversity
• Harmonisation of education systems is prohibited
  by the Treaty
• SGI and SGEI should not be included, no common
  community law, definitions, or common basic
  principles exists yet in this area
• The Council of Ministers Awaiting EPs position,
  but are likely to be divided over question of
  scope, notably whether Services of General
  Economic Interest should be excluded

5
ETUCE campaign

• Launched February focus on the Commission,
  Parliamentary committees, national
  governments/the Council
• Work closely with EPSU and ETUC