Commission’s assessment of the future of the Single Market published

The European Commission published a Communication on “The Single Market in a changing world” on 22 November. It was presented by Vice-President Jyrki Katainen.

“Although the single market is one of the EU’s greatest achievements, it is still not functioning in the best possible way. There is a lot of untapped potential in the single market,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.

The Commission highlights in its Communication the main areas where further efforts are needed to improve the single market. Minister Lintilä says that the Commission’s guidelines are in the right direction. They also strengthen Finland’s key points in its efforts to influence EU decision-making.

“Finland is a small economy and highly dependent on exports. It is important for Finland’s future economic growth that especially the digital single market will continue to evolve,” Lintilä says.

According to the Communication:

The single market must be developed in ways that allow the EU to exploit the full potential of the single market and digital economy. Particular attention should be paid to increasing the mobility of services: Europe’s potential for growth is largely dependent on services and especially on digital services. Access to data is essential for entering global value chains.

The transition to low-carbon economy should be seen as a possibility that facilitate the success of the European energy technology, among other sectors.

The single market must be develop in user-centred ways that generate benefits to both enterprises and citizens and promote people’s wellbeing in Europe.

Ambitious goals can be achieved only if both the EU institutions and the Member States commit to developing the single market and ensure that national, regional and local levels comply with the single market legislation.

The Commission prepared the Communication at the request of the European Council. The Heads of State or Government will discuss it in the European Council in March 2019.

European Commission’s press release
European Commission Communication on Single Market

Inquiries:
Johanna Rihto-Kekkonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 209 504 7121
Mikko Holm, Senior Specialist, Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU, tel. +32 2 287 8450