The European Commission (EC) will
take its time to assess the response from Italy to its recent
infringement letter on bathing establishments before moving onto
the next stage, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.
"There is no legal deadline for the Commission to act" on the
response from the Italian authorities to the reasoned opinion
issued by the EU executive in November on the country's failure
to comply with rules regarding bathing concessions and move "to
the next stage", the spokeswoman told reporters at the daily
press briefing in Brussels.
"So we will make a careful analysis, taking the necessary time,"
she continued.
"In parallel, we are seeking a dialogue with the Italian
authorities to find an agreed solution that is compatible with
European law," added the spokeswoman.
Brussels wants Rome to assign bathing establishment concessions
by tender under the terms of the Bolkestein Directive requiring
EU countries to ensure fair competition and transparency in
order to avoid any kind of discriminatory practices that could
undermine the single market principle, a move that Italy has so
far resisted.
The reasoned opinion issued in November is the second step in
the infringement procedure.
In the event of continued non-compliance the EC may then launch
full-blown legal proceedings before the European Court of
Justice.
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