Countdown to Single Market Week
2012 marks the 20th year of the European Single Market which was officially established on January 1,1993. This anniversary provides an ideal opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the Single Market since its creation and on the challenges...
2012 marks the 20th year of the European Single Market which was officially established on January 1,1993. This anniversary provides an ideal opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the Single Market since its creation and on the challenges remaining to realise its potential to create new growth.
The 20th anniversary provides the framework for a range of activities taking place in all member states and centred on the Single Market Week for New Growth from October 15 to 20. These activities will focus on three objectives: Recalling the achievements of 20 years of the Single Market; Presenting and discussing new initiatives to stimulate growth in the Single Market; Mobilising the views and expectations of young adults about the Single Market.
A central interactive event will be organised in Brussels on October 15 in the European Parliament. It will be a mix of stimulating debates, video presentations, discussion rounds, quizzes with the audience and the award ceremony for the ‘Generation 1992’ competition with the aim of providing input for future policy. A key focal point of the event will be on the generation of 20 year-olds, who were born in the year when the Single Market came into being and who do not remember Europe as it was before the Single Market.
Many national events will be organised in the EU member states in the days and weeks following October 15. Their aim is to bring together citizens, businesses and public organisations to examine and discuss the state of the single market in a national context.
In advance of Single Market Week, early in October, the Commission will adopt a package of measures to strengthen and deepen the Single Market, called Single Market Act 2, following an initial package of single market measures adopted last year.
To prepare for Single Market Week, the European Commission has published a brochure entitled 20 Years of the European Single Market – Together For New Growth, to spread information about the opportunities and benefits of the Single Market for European citizens and businesses.
This brochure can be ordered from the Commission, and is available for downloading on the Europa website.
The Single Market Week website provides more information about the events, both in Brussels and beyond, with a link to register for the central event in Brussels on October 15.
http://www.singlemarket20.eu