In order not to affect the freedom of Member States - on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity - to define what they consider to be services of general economic interest as referred to in Articles 16 and 86(2) of the Treaty and not to anticipate a framework Directive on services of general interest, the proposal should neither apply to services which the Member States and/or the Community subject to specific universal or public service obligations, by virtue of a general interest criterion.
In order not to affect the freedom of Member States - on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity - to define what they consider to be services of general economic interest as referred to in Articles 16 and 86(2) of the Treaty and not to anticipate a framework Directive on services of general interest, the proposal should neither apply to services which the Member States and/or the Community subject to specific universal or public service obligations, by virtue of a general interest criterion.