Usługi użyteczności publicznej jako instrument inwestowania w długoterminowe zdolności rozwojowe i globalną konkurencyjność Unii Europejskiej

The 2004 White Paper on SGI, which is a summary of the debate on the European model of society, defines services of general interest as a fundamental factor for ensuring social and territorial cohesion and the competitiveness of the EU economy. Thus, the paper clearly emphasizes the role of public services in pursuit of the Union to achieve its strategic goal set by the European Council summit in Lisbon in 2000 – making the EU economy the most competitive and dynamic economy in the world, based on knowledge and capable of sustainable economic growth. Such a location of public services in the EU’s body shows a gradual evolution taking place in the hierarchy of tasks assigned to them. Previously, access to public services was assessed in the first place as an essential element of European citizenship, essential to the full enjoyment of fundamental rights. Currently – without detracting from the above role – perception of public services as a strategic instrument to invest in long-term development capabilities and the global competitiveness of the EU is becoming increasingly important. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the process of re-evaluation of the hierarchy of tasks assigned to SGI in the Union and, against this background, an indication of the differences in the approaches of the EU institutions and public authorities of the Member States. The resulting key question is whether the EU has already achieved consensus on the recognition of the development of public services as a condition of its global competitiveness? The starting point of the analysis are the priorities indicated in the Lisbon Strategy and the ”Europe 2020” strategy.