Green MEP, Jean Lambert, has today called on the European Parliament to protect
public services across all EU Member States by implementing a Framework Directive
on Services of General Interest.
On the second day of the Green Party's Autumn Conference, taking place in Brighton this weekend, Jean who chaired a discussion panel on the future of public services, was joined with representatives from the European Federation of Public Services Union (EPSU) and the European Anti-Poverty Network to address the situation.
Jean has campaigned against the first stage of the controversial Services Directive in February 2006 and today said; "It is vital that the general interest prevails over competition rules. This should not be jeopardised by squabbling over the distinction between "economic" and "non-economic" services. The boundaries between the two categories are difficult to draw but, in any case even for economic services, the general interest should prevail.
"I believe it is crucial to provide a legal certainty and clarity on
this issue with a horizontal directive, a Framework Directive, to cover everything
and ensure that we have quality public services safeguarding people's needs."
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Morwenna Holland, Media Officer
tel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812
email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk
www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Jean Lambert: In October 2005 Jean was named MEP 2005 for Justice and
Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament
for London in the 1999 European elections. She was re-elected in 2004. She is
one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives
in the European Parliament.