Services of general interest
“Services of general interest” is an expression in the treaties to describe telecommunications and other member state infrastructure, as well as education, health, and parts of social security. The EU requires that such services be bound by the normal rules of competition, tender, etc.The Kohll & Decker cases oblige the member states to organise public services without discrimination.
The future
Inserting Charter of Fundamental Rights in the EU Constitution means that the Union must recognise access to these services, as provided for in national laws as a fundamental principle (Art. 36 of the Charter).
Many members of the Convention on the Future of Europe called for even stronger wording on services of general interest.
