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1

Usługi użyteczności publicznej jako instrument inwestowania w długoterminowe zdolności rozwojowe i globalną konkurencyjność Unii Europejskiej

100%

Ząbkowicz J.

Ekonomia XXI Wieku

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2016

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issue 2 (10)

103-120

EN

The 2004 White Paper on SGI, which is a summary of the debate on the European model of society, defines services of general interest as a fundamental factor for ensuring social and territorial cohesion and the competitiveness of the EU economy. Thus, the paper clearly emphasizes the role of public services in pursuit of the Union to achieve its strategic goal set by the European Council summit in Lisbon in 2000 – making the EU economy the most competitive and dynamic economy in the world, based on knowledge and capable of sustainable economic growth. Such a location of public services in the EU’s body shows a gradual evolution taking place in the hierarchy of tasks assigned to them. Previously, access to public services was assessed in the first place as an essential element of European citizenship, essential to the full enjoyment of fundamental rights. Currently – without detracting from the above role – perception of public services as a strategic instrument to invest in long-term development capabilities and the global competitiveness of the EU is becoming increasingly important. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the process of re-evaluation of the hierarchy of tasks assigned to SGI in the Union and, against this background, an indication of the differences in the approaches of the EU institutions and public authorities of the Member States. The resulting key question is whether the EU has already achieved consensus on the recognition of the development of public services as a condition of its global competitiveness? The starting point of the analysis are the priorities indicated in the Lisbon Strategy and the ”Europe 2020” strategy.

2

Podejście sektorowe i horyzontalne jako instrumenty integracji regionalnej – na przykładzie sfery rynkowych usług użyteczności publicznej w Unii Euro

100%

Ząbkowicz J.

Ekonomia XXI Wieku

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2014

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issue 2(2)

45-64

EN

The two possible broad EU legislative approaches to achieving more harmonization between Member States are a series of sector-specific directives, or what is called a “horizontal framework Directive” which sets out broad framework principles which apply to all the areas within its scope. The European Commission expresses full conviction that EU legislation must rely to much greater extend on a horizontal approach applying across all sectors as the one giving fresh impetus to regional integration. However, almost all Commission’s decisions to propose a horizontal directive meet with a mixed (or even negative) reception in the Parliament and in Member States as in their opinion a sector-specific legislation better complies with procedures and practices in each country and keeps alive diversity in the Union. Diverging views in the EU about the above approaches and problems with finding a consensus are well reflected in the sector of services of general economic interest being essential for ensuring social and territorial cohesion and for the competitiveness of the European economy. The organization of these services varies according to cultural traditions, the history and geographical conditions of each Member State and the characteristics of the activity concerned. In the common opinion of authorities of Member States the existing sector-specific EU rules take due account of the diversity that characterizes different services of general interest and the situations in which they are provided. They support such an approach as a right way to respect the roles of national, regional and local authorities in ensuring the well-being of their citizens and in guaranteeing democratic choices. The added value of a horizontal framework as compared to the sector-specific approach followed so far has not been demonstrated, they say. That means there is no reason to bestow the European Commission with additional powers. The powers currently conferred on the Community with regard to services of general interest are appropriate and sufficient in order to ensure that well-functioning services can be maintained and developed throughout the Union. According to the European Commission consolidation of the Community acquis should be based on common elements of existing sector-specific legislation. Without prejudice to these rules, a horizontal approach will be considered with regard to a number of specific issues, such as consumers’ interests, the monitoring and evaluation of services of general interest, the application of state aid rules to financial compensation or the use of structural funds for the support of services of general interest. That would help to ensure overall consistency of approach across different services of general interest sectors. As a framework instrument as a basis setting out common objectives and principles would be general in nature and would also have its limitations it should be complemented by sector-specific legislation laying down more

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Between Scylla and Charybdis. Whatever a Member State Does, It May Expose Itself to Attacks From Both Sides. Lux Express Estonia AS Case C-614/20, Lux Express Estonia AS, Judgment of the Court of Justice (First Chamber) of 8 September 2022, EU:C:2022:641

86%

Rzotkiewicz M.

Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies

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2023

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vol. 16

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issue 27

165-180

FR

Les États Membres n’ont pas besoin d’utiliser des ressources d’État pour accomplir leur mission. Ils peuvent utiliser les ressources d’entreprises privées en leur imposant l’obligation de fournir des services d’intérêt général (SIG). Ce dernier choix leur offre de nombreux avantages. Mais ils doivent s’assurer que le régime ainsi créé est conforme aux règles relatives à la législation sur les aides d’État. Certains États Membres veillent à ce que les entreprises privées fournissant des SIG n’obtiennent pas la pleine rémunération de leurs services. Toutefois, l’arrêt de la Cour dans l’affaire Lux Express Estonia pourrait modifier ce mécanisme, d’autant plus que la Cour a déclaré que les États Membres doivent payer une compensation pour les obligations qu’ils imposent aux entreprises privées. De plus, les États Membres doivent s’assurer qu’ils versent le bon montant de compensation. Ni un sou de plus, ni un sou de moins.

EN

Member States do not need to use state resources when they accomplish their mission. They may employ resources of private undertakings by imposing on them obligations to provide services of general interest (SGI). The latter choice provides Member States with many benefits. But Member States need to be sure that the scheme they created complies with the rules on State aid law. Some Member States make sure that private undertakings carrying out SGI do not obtain the full remuneration for their services. However, the Court’s judgment in Lux Express Estonia has the potential to change this mechanism, especially as the Court stated that Member States must pay compensation for obligations they impose on private undertakings. What is more, Member States need to be certain they pay the right amount of compensation. Not a penny more, not a penny less.

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Usługi użyteczności publicznej jako instrument inwestowania w długoterminowe zdolności rozwojowe i globalną konkurencyjność Unii Europejskiej

Podejście sektorowe i horyzontalne jako instrumenty integracji regionalnej – na przykładzie sfery rynkowych usług użyteczności publicznej w Unii Euro

Between Scylla and Charybdis. Whatever a Member State Does, It May Expose Itself to Attacks From Both Sides. Lux Express Estonia AS Case C-614/20, Lux Express Estonia AS, Judgment of the Court of Justice (First Chamber) of 8 September 2022, EU:C:2022:641