Demanding better service
In an apparent swipe at France and Germany, the Polish Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner said that in opposing the opening of the services market, some EU governments were bowing to pressure from local lobbies to the detriment of economic growth.
Hausner said that failure to free up the EU market for cross-border services would jeopardize the bloc's drive to boost growth and jobs, known as the Lisbon Strategy, or Lisbon Agenda.
"You cannot be in favor of the Lisbon Agenda and at the same time against the services directive," Hausner said, referring to a draft law proposed last year by the previous European Commission.
The Commission has bowed to opposition from France and Germany, agreeing to reconsider parts of a proposal that would tear down barriers to a vast range of services, from employment agencies to doctors and lawyers.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder wants certain sectors to be exempted, including healthcare and construction. France, meanwhile, has also come out strongly against the directive amid fears that left-wing and trade union anger would fuel opposition to the EU constitution in a key referendum due in May or June.
Poland and other EU newcomers have long complained about laws in 'old' member states which, for example, allow only a small number of bakeries to operate in one town.
"In opposing liberalization, are we really talking about protecting workers, or protecting interests of certain interest groups-professional corporations that are blocking competition?" Hausner asked.
Hausner said that failure to free up the EU market for cross-border services would jeopardize the bloc's drive to boost growth and jobs, known as the Lisbon Strategy, or Lisbon Agenda.
"You cannot be in favor of the Lisbon Agenda and at the same time against the services directive," Hausner said, referring to a draft law proposed last year by the previous European Commission.
The Commission has bowed to opposition from France and Germany, agreeing to reconsider parts of a proposal that would tear down barriers to a vast range of services, from employment agencies to doctors and lawyers.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder wants certain sectors to be exempted, including healthcare and construction. France, meanwhile, has also come out strongly against the directive amid fears that left-wing and trade union anger would fuel opposition to the EU constitution in a key referendum due in May or June.
Poland and other EU newcomers have long complained about laws in 'old' member states which, for example, allow only a small number of bakeries to operate in one town.
"In opposing liberalization, are we really talking about protecting workers, or protecting interests of certain interest groups-professional corporations that are blocking competition?" Hausner asked.
