In 2006 the EU’s SOLVIT network continued to provide citizens and businesses with fast and effective solutions to the concrete problems they experience when national administrations apply EU law incorrectly, but now requires more promotion and staff resources at national level in order to realise its full potential. This is the conclusion of the European Commission’s annual SOLVIT performance report. The report also shows that while the annual number of cases handled remained stable, the case resolution rate remained high and average case handling speed increased significantly. In addition, involvement in SOLVIT is encouraging a growing number of Member States to be more proactive in bringing national rules into line with EU law.
Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said: “SOLVIT is an excellent example of the EU and its
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Main conclusions
In 2006 the SOLVIT network has added many more success stories to its extensive catalogue of fast and pragmatic solutions that really help citizens and businesses to overcome the obstacles they may encounter when they want to work, live, or do business in another EU member state.
Furthermore, when solving a particular case, many SOLVIT centres voluntarily take the opportunity to ensure that the national legislation or guidelines concerned are adapted to comply with EU law, without the need for formal Commission intervention.
However, even more problems could be solved through SOLVIT. The report suggests that the stabilisation of the overall number of cases at 467 is due to a shortage of staff and promotional activities at national level, which is the case for almost half of the SOLVIT centres. For example, the four EU countries with the largest population sizes (
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Facts and figures
§     After a steep increase of over 60% in 2005, the overall number of cases handled in 2006 remained stable, with 467 cases considered suitable for treatment.
§     The average resolution rate for SOLVIT cases in 2006 was 82 %.
§     Of all resolved cases, 73% were resolved within the deadline of ten weeks. Case handling time has decreased significantly from an average of 74 days in 2005 to 54 days in 2006.
§     69% of SOLVIT cases were submitted by citizens. The major problem areas for citizens were social security (23%), taxation (16%) and recognition of professional qualifications (15%).
§     31% of SOLVIT cases were submitted by businesses. Their main problem areas are market access for products (8%) and the provision of services and establishment (11%).
About SOLVIT
The Commission and
SOLVIT is part of a “cascade” of services designed to help citizens and businesses make the most of their EU rights, including Europe Direct, the information portal Your Europe (http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope) and the Citizens Signpost Service (http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights) which provides personalised legal advice.
The 2006 report is available at the SOLVIT website: http://europa.eu.int/solvit/site/news/index_en.htm
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