This year marks the 20th anniversary of the EU Single Market. The single market offers numerous advantages nowaday.

EU citizens may enjoy the benefit of its achievements in their private and their professional lives, as consumers or as entrepreneurs. The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union stipulates that “the internal market shall comprise an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured in accordance with Article 26(2) of the provisions of the Treaties”. These four areas are commonly called the ‘four freedoms’. In accordance with the ‘four freedoms’ principle, the common objective of the member states in the Single Market is to eliminate any existing obstacles standing in the way of the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital.

The EU Single Market permits its citizens to exercise their rights by travelling to neighbouring countries without border controls; getting access to healthcare and services as nationals of the country they are visiting; and allowing them to move abroad to reside, study or work in another member state. The qualifications and diplomas obtained in one’s national country can be recognised abroad and, if one decides to go back to their home country after having worked abroad, they can still access their pensions from abroad. More recently, consumer protection regulations have been enforced to guarantee more rights for products ordered on the internet. On average, there has also been a significant decrease of mobile telephony roaming fees and of flight ticket prices. The Single Market also proves to be one of the main drivers for greater broadband internet penetration.

The economic crisis had a severe impact on jobs and businesses in Europe. The several crises and conflicts within the process of European integration spurred more involvement from European stakeholders from around Europe, including those at national and regional levels, those in the public and private sector and those in the economic and social spheres to meet the actions that the European Commission is treating with urgency. Last year, the European Commission announced 12 key initiatives that would contribute to boost growth, jobs and confidence in the Single Market. Initiatives on how to re-launch sustainable and equitable growth; how to put citizens at the heart of the Single Market; and how to foster better governance and dialogue in the Single Market, fall under the Single Market Act, which was adopted by the European Commission in 2010.

The European Commission invited all 20-year-old Europeans, who were born in the year when the Single Market came into being, to get creative and voice their views on the Single Market through a competition entitled, ‘Generation 1992′, running from April to September 2012. Submissions may be from individuals or groups and should fall into one of the following categories: (i) Education and citizenship; (ii) jobs and entrepreneurship; (iii) culture and leisure; and (iv) consumers and environment. More information about this competition is available online at www.generation1992.eu/

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Single Market, EU member states are being encouraged to put on a number of events, culminating in a ‘Single Market Week for New Growth’ in Brussels, from 15 to 20 October. The activities leading up to the event and the week itself will focus on three objectives: (i) Recalling the achievements of 20 years of the Single Market; (ii) presenting and discussing new initiatives to stimulate growth in the Single Market; and (iii) mobilising the views and expectations of young adults about the Single Market. Malta will also be celebrating the Single Market Week through a number of activities taking place on the same days.

Meusac will be taking part in the Single Market Fair organised between 18 and 20 October at the Single Market Fair in Misraħ l-Assedju l-Kbir in Valletta. The fair will bring together a number of local EU information providers and contact points under one roof. A number of public debates, talks, games and quizzes will be organised to promote and inform the general public about what the Single Market means in the everyday life of EU citizens.

For more information about Meusac’s participation during the Single Market Week log onto www.meusac.gov.mt or call Meusac offices on 2200-3300.

Brenda Azzopardi is Executive – EU Policy & Legislation, Meusac