A large number of contributors favouring a collective consideration of PPP issues at EC level advocate the exchange of best practice, although some stress that one also needs to learn from bad experiences. Some contributors consider the Resource Book on PPP case studies released by the Directorate-General for Regional Policy in June 200417 as a good example of a European initiative promoting the exchange of experience with regard to PPPs.
A substantial number of contributors expect this collective consideration to result in clarification of applicable Community rules and the establishment of guidelines. Some contributors contend that clarification on PPPs should not be limited to legal issues. Others express their interest in standardised rules or model invitations to tender based on experience to date. Other suggestions on the scope of collective consideration of PPPs include European-wide dissemination of PPP information, promotion of "scientific assessments", coordination of existing national networks, training and certification of "PPP mediators" and the resolution of potential conflicts between EC and national law on PPP-related issues. One contributor from the public sector believes that such collective consideration should ensure a level playing field between public and private operators as regards PPP know-how, from which small contracting authorities, in particular, could benefit.
Another contributor suggests that a collective consideration of such matters should include the monitoring of transparency, non-discrimination and more generally the proper functioning of PPPs in the Member States. Another important topic is setting up a benchmarking exercise, one contributor adds.
A substantial number of contributors are of the opinion that the result of such collective consideration should be left open and in no case prejudge the question of whether Community legislation on PPPs is appropriate, while two stakeholders suggest that the collective consideration should contribute to the preparation of an EC initiative on PPPs.
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17 Published on the website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/sources/docgener/guides/pppguide.htm.