Public contracts: participation of European Economic Interest Groupings EEIGs

OBJECTIVE: to ensure the participation of European economic interest groupings (EEIGs) in public contracts and programmes financed by public funds. SUBSTANCE: the object of the Commission communication is to provide clarification and thus remove all uncertainty still preventing optimum use of the EEIG in public procurement, directly linked access to credit, and programmes financed by public funds. The Commission states that the EEIG is currently the only legal vehicle for cooperation that is directly connected with the Community system and that it thus constitutes a key element in European cooperation, particularly for SMEs wishing to participate in European-scale projects. It considers it essential that all actors concerned with the use of EEIGs, and firms or bodies concluding contracts with an EEIG, should be fully aware of its characteristics and potential. �