After several months of arduous negotiations with the Council, Members endorsed the outcome of the trialogue negotiations on the classic and utilities directives by 29 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention. The Rapporteur underlined that a well-balanced package had been achieved, especially advancing the concept of most economically advantageous tender rather than awards based on lowest cost, greater possibilities for the respect of social and ecological award criteria and means to deal with abnormally low offers. He stressed the close cooperation between all Groups and welcomed the joint provisions that had been found across the three different instruments, notably on public procurement and concessions.
The text of the directive on the award of concessions contracts, as agreed between the Council and the Parliament during trialogue negotiations, was adopted by 26 votes in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention. The Rapporteur stated that the final outcome constituted a global political agreement, bridging the initially divergent positions of Council and Parliament, and expressed his satisfaction for the establishment of EU wide legislation in the field of concessions. He further on explained that such legislation constitutes the first step towards the construction of solid European law, expected to ensure legal security and consolidate the lessons learned by the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The Directives will now be put to a vote in Plenary.
Source : © European Union, 2013 - EP