On the occasion of the Czech Presidency in EU (CZ PRES), the Czech Embassy in Copenhagen has prepared a number of arrangements.

The economic seminar was the result of a professional and concrete co-operation with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI). Furthermore, the EU Commission’s Representation in Denmark participated. Mr. Jan Hebnar from the Czech Ministry for Commerce and Industry as well as Mr. Michal Beník from the Czech Prime Minister’s Office supported the seminar professionally, and participated in it.

Following the welcome speech of DI’s managing director, Mr. Hans Skov Christensen, the Czech ambassador, Mr. Zdeněk Lyčka, presented the audience in DI’s large and full conference hall with the priorities of CZ PRES (“the 3 E’s”) along with its motto, “Europe Without Barriers”, with focus on a united single market and the four Union Freedoms: The free movement of capital, of goods, of labour force, and of services. At the same time he pointed out the large economic potential of the EU, that cannot be realised because of the barriers on the single market.

According to a study by DI the extent of this is estimated at 200 to 300 billion EUR.

Subsequently more presentations were rendered (i.a. by Ms. Henriette Søltoft, head of DI European Politics; Mr. Henrik Mørch, Head of Unit, European Mission, DG Market; and Mr. Stig Uffe Pedersen, head of division, Single Market Centre, Danish Business and Construction Authority), as well as the Czech contributors from the Czech Ministry for Trade and Industry and from the Prime Minister’s Office. During presentations and the subsequent panel discussion focus was directed first of all towards the contributions and results made possible by the enlargement of the EU five years ago, and on the further opportunities for expansion on EU’s single market (NB: A report on the positive influence of the EU enlargement upon a united single market is under preparation). Likewise, the position of a united single market within the framework of the global economy was evaluated and discussed, and it was recommended to follow this marked carefully. Furthermore, the perspectives of a united single market upon full implementation of the EU Directive on Services were discussed. (NB: In February, 2009, a European Conference on the Future of Services on the EU Single Market will be held in Prague). Finally, the necessity of full harmonisation of the protection of consumer rights was discussed, as was the vital importance of a wider use of the SOLVIT system. Considerable cost-saving is available if providing a solution to the administrative barriers (approx. 24 bio. EUR, according to the representative of the Commission).

In this respect the presentation from DANFOSS A/S was most relevant. Danfoss is the largest industrial company in Denmark and an important supranational conglomerate, no. 1 in the world within cooling and climate techniques and within heat and hydrostatic transmissions and installations. In his presentation and in the subsequent discussion the representative of Danfoss, Mr. Lars Dyrhagen, explained about his practical experience concerning barriers on the single market, according to which the business sphere may not necessarily wish to entirely remove existing barriers. This is how the concerned European civil servants should perceive the experienced reality, for barriers often mean that “somebody is IN and somebody is OUT”. From a competition point of view it may of course be positive for some companies. It is a matter of a paradox, which particularly in situations of economic crises may lead to the demand from certain companies for a degree of protectionism……Hence, this Danish company believes that it is necessary that the EU Commission establishes some binding standards.

Nor did the discussion on this economic seminar avoid the present problems, which are connected to the worldwide financial crisis. In this respect the necessity of considering new conditions for the frames of the united single market was pointed out. It was stressed how important it is to use the Stability Pact and to address the need for further structural reforms, etc. Furthermore, the representative of the Commission has expressed that state ownership in the banking sector need not be a problem, while it is necessary to prevent individual local banks and financial institutes from “protectionism” or even from obtaining advantages on a national level.

The arrangement of the Embassy was met with extraordinary interest among participants from both state and private sectors in Denmark, and was positively assessed also by representatives from the diplomacy.