The number of infringement files keeps dropping
The total number of infringement files due to late or incorrect transposal of EU directives into Flemish law has dropped again. This is shown in the new monthly report on EU developments by the Government of Flanders.
When member states transpose EU law too late, incorrect or incomplete, the EU Commission can start an infringement procedure. Flanders was involved in nine infringement files in December 2016: four of them due to overdue transposition and five of them due to incorrect or incomplete transposition. For three of these nine infringement files, Flanders has already completed its homework, but has to wait until other Belgian governments are ready before it is able to close the files. In any case, the number of infringement files is at its lowest ever. In November 2016 the number of infringement files was twelve and in December 2015 it stood at fifteen.
The Government aims at avoiding infringement procedures as much as possible by a proactive follow-up of EU law. Minister-president Bourgeois: “Each infringement file is one too many, especially since the Belgian transposition deficit is one of the highest in the EU. To that end, Flanders is committed to a better coordination of the transposition of EU law by an Eurocoordinator within the Department of Foreign Affairs, working within a coherent framework laid down in a new circular."
The Government anticipates new EU law in 2017
Likewise, the Government of Flanders applies a proactive approach to the EU policy proposals announced by the European Commission in its 2017 Work Program. The Government selects the proposals that it will closely monitor. Hence it is able to shape the Belgian position and influence the negotiations in the Council of Ministers.
On January 20th, the Government identified thirteen policy proposals in the Commission Work Program for which Flanders is competent. Seven of those thirteen files require particular attention:
• The European Solidarity Corps
• The Multi-annual Financial Framework beyond 2020
• The mid-term review of the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy
• The REFIT revision of the Eurovignette Directive
• The White Paper on the Future of Europe
• The implementation of the Trade for All Strategy
• The measures to step up efforts on the application, implementation and enforcement of EU law
These files will be closely followed by the Flemish administration and positions will be prepared.
