Europees Parlement bereikt overeenstemming over intensivering bestuurlijke samenwerking in de EU (en) - Montesquieu Instituut

Today, the Danish Presidency has reached agreement with the European Parliament on a regulation on the Internal Market Information System (the IMI-system). The agreement ensures that Member States’ authorities are able to cooperate more effectively across borders. The Danish Minister for Business and Growth sees the agreement as a considerable result for the Danish Presidency.

Since 1 January 2012, the Danish Presidency has been leading the negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament on the IMI-regulation. IMI is an Internet-based software application, which makes it easier for authorities to work together.

IMI can for example be used, when a foreign veterinarian or electrician applies for recognition of his or her professional qualifications in another EU member state. If the local authorities have any questions, they can use IMI to quickly contact the relevant authority in the home Member State.

Minister for Business and Growth, Ole Sohn:

"I am very pleased that we have reached an agreement on the IMI-regulation. Through IMI, authorities in all Member States can easily find the right authority in another Member State and contact them to clarify any questions they may have."

"Authorities can make sure, for example, that a company is in possession of all the relevant authorisations in its home state in order to do business in the host state."

"The IMI regulation creates a clear framework for speedy administrative cooperation to the benefit of businesses and citizens of the European Union. The fewer administrative burdens businesses and citizens experience in the Single Market, the better the framework we can create for cross border economic activity and economic growth in the EU."

At the moment, the IMI system is used for administrative cooperation in the area of the Services Directive and the Professional Qualifications Directive, as well as on a pilot base in relation to the Posting of Workers Directive. From 2013, IMI will also be used for information exchange in the area of the Patient’s Rights Directive.

A total of 6.500 authorities are registred in IMI comprising around 12.000 users.

The political agreement is to be finally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council. The IMI regulation is expected to enter into force during second half of 2012.