Economic Growth: the Internal Market is the answer.

"If we really want to achieve growth, let us truly deliver the Internal Market to citizens and businesses because it is the single most important European stimulus for growth", said Simon Busuttil MEP, following the adoption today in plenary of his Report on the Internal Market Scoreboard by an overwhelming majority of 607 votes in favour, 37 against, and 11 abstentions.

The Internal Market Scoreboard and the latest report by the European Commission, the Annual Governance Check-up, indicate where and at what stages the Internal Market is failing to deliver for citizens and businesses.

"20 years after the creation of the Single Market, barriers still remain. The adoption of the Busuttil Report shows the Parliament's commitment towards a stronger Internal Market. Now the Commission and the Member States must roll up their sleeves and ensure that EU legislation is fully transposed and implemented on time", said Andreas Schwab MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of the European Parliament.

Simon Busuttil's Report calls for the establishment of a fast-track infringement procedure and for the creation of an independent and accountable body within the European Commission responsible for prosecuting internal market infringements.

"Unless Member States step up their efforts to make sure that EU legislation is transposed and fully implemented, there can be no Internal Market", said the MEPs.

"An Internal Market Prosecutor would free the Commission of any political pressures to pursue infringements of EU law rapidly and independently", they continued.

The idea of an Internal Market Prosecutor, put forward by Rapporteur Busuttil on behalf of the EPP Group, was rejected by the Socialists at committee stage but approved by a majority of 397 in plenary.

"Lately, we have been asking our citizens to make a lot of sacrifices to ensure that our economies survive the current climate. But we have the Internal Market which is the best way of delivering growth and economic prosperity for our citizens and businesses. We must make it work better", Simon Busuttil concluded