Public contracts: participation of European Economic Interest Groupings EEIGs

In adopting the report by Mr Michael TAPPIN (PSE, UK) Parliament supported the Commission's aims. It considered, however, that the Commission could do more to increase the use of EEIGs by SMEs, for example by establishing an EEIG panel at European level. It also called on the Commission: - to present a further Communication within two years suggesting modifications to the interpretive texts and, possibly, additional measures to promote the EEIG mechanism; - to encourage Member States to identify or establish centres where good quality advice and training were available to SMEs wishing to participate in the EEIG mechanism; - to promote the use of information technologies as part of the dissemination of information and advice; - to encourage Member State cooperation for the resolution of certain recurrent problems: joint and several liability, transnational contracts, credit facilities, non-discrimination, etc.; - to launch a pilot scheme for a financial instrument seeking to encourage crossborder investment within the Union aimed at supporting the efforts of EEIGs carrying out their activity in another Member State by means of a network of banks and venture capital funds. �