Highlights - Presentation of the priorities for Finland’s Presidency - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

On 2 September, Mr Timo Harakka (Minister of Employment) presented the Council Presidency’s Programme. He stressed that the EU needs a comprehensive long-term strategy for sustainable growth and competitiveness that specifically includes measures to improve the functioning of the single market. IMCO Members asked about the intentions and concrete actions of the Presidency to improve the single market for services, including digital services and eliminating the barriers to cross-border trade.

Members also enquired about transparency in the digital world, customs, MFF, new forms of work and dual quality of products. The Finnish Presidency stressed that all these questions need a serious discussion and added that will seek to finalise the negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) in autumn 2019.