Consumer and industry Roundtable on opportunities and barriers to European online retailing

Sep 18, 2008 14:16 GMT  ·  By

Jobs, Jagger, Apple’s iTunes head, Eddie Cue, and representatives from EMI, eBay, Fiat, UK consumer association, gathered for a round table debate on “opportunities and barriers to online retailing and the European Single Market,” sources are reporting.

The focus of the Online Commerce Roundtable, comprising senior consumer and industry representatives hosted by European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes, targeted the opportunities created by increased online retailing in Europe, as well as their barriers. The meeting was held at the European Commission's Brussels headquarters on September 17.

According to an official press release, the Roundtable will produce a short report for the Commission, which will be published later this year, to invite further comments from third parties. There was also an agreement that pan-European services require pan-European solutions, in regards to online music. Seemingly, Apple is looking to strengthen its position as an online music distributor in Europe. Specifics on the meeting haven't been released to the press yet.

“The people of Europe were promised a union, a place without borders: but on the internet they have not yet got it,” said Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes. “Progress has been made; sometimes impressive, but it is not enough. As Competition Commissioner, I want to know why. If this is because the competition rules are not clear enough, I will clarify them. If it is because the competition rules are not up to date, I will update them. And of course, if this is because the competition rules are not being respected, consumers and companies should know that I will enforce them."

Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy added, "It is high time that we tackle unnecessary barriers to improve the regulatory environment to make the internal market on the internet a reality".

It is believed that Jobs will also drop by Europe’s largest Apple trade show, the Apple Expo, since he's “in town”.