Energy and evasion: Barroso writes to the States In a letter released on May 8 the president of the EU Commission, José Manuel Barroso calls upon the EU 27 Heads of Government and State to complete the creation of a single energy market at EU level and to step up the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion, ahead of the dedicated summit on these themes scheduled to take place in Brussels on May 22. "Although the energy mix differs considerably from one Member State to another, all are facing similar challenges. We can tackle these challenges better together". Energy prices differ considerably across the EU, because our market is fragmented. Failure to tap into the benefits of energy efficiency means businesses and consumers pay more than they need for their energy supplies". The solution to the problem of high energy prices "is partly in our hands – – if we complete our internal energy market and implement existing legislation". Barroso highlighted the importance to complete the transposition and implementation of the third energy package, and "take urgent steps to facilitate sustainable private and public investment, including on EU-level, in our energy infrastructure, the internal energy market’s backbone across borders". The Portuguese politician urges to continue to strengthen external diversification of supplies and resort to renewables. As relates to evasion Barroso called upon EU States to adopt existing regulations and step up cooperation: maximising the tax revenue adopting a fair criteria would render justice to citizens and promote the balance of national budgets. "At a time of fiscal consolidation Member States are not maximising the tax revenue they could have and the issue of fairness is squarely on the agenda", he said. In his letter Barroso urged EU leaders to decide on key proposals on the Council table "such as the Savings Tax Directive" and make more intensive use of "an ambitious implementation of the Commission’s Action Plan on strengthening the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion and the two Recommendations on tax havens and aggressive tax planning".The Charter of rights – not just a documentDignity, Freedoms, Equality, Solidarity, Citizens’ Rights and Justice are the six chapters reflecting the six titles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which has become legally binding, along with the Lisbon Treaty, on December 1st 2009. It is becoming "a point of reference not only for the EU institutions when drawing up legislation but also for the European and national courts, making fundamental rights a reality for citizens in Europe". On the occasion of the Feast of Europe of May 9 the Commission released the third annual report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, covering 2012, which illustrates with a wide range of fundamental rights related cases that the EU is continuing to build. Viviane Reding, the EU’s Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship said: "Fundamental rights are the foundation on which the European Union is built: they must be continuously protected and strengthened. This is what citizens expect from us". The Charter sets out fundamental rights – such as freedom of expression and the protection of personal data – that reflect Europe’s common values and its constitutional heritage. It is the task of the EU Commission to ensure the Charter is respected where the EU has competence to act. Reding pointed out: "The EU Fundamental Rights Charter is not just a document – it is becoming the reality for Europe’s 500 million citizens. This is also thanks to national courts which are increasingly bringing the Charter to life". The report reveals that "the fundamental rights related issues most frequently raised by citizens in their correspondence with the Commission were free movement and residence (18% of all letters on fundamental rights to the Commission), the functioning of national justice systems (15%), access to justice (12.5%), freedom to choose an occupation and the right to engage in work (7.5%), integration of people with disabilities (4.5%), and protection of personal data (4%)".
