THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 53(1) and Articles 62 and 114 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee [OJ C 191, 29.6.2012, p. 84.],
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions [OJ C 391, 18.12.2012, p. 49.],
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure [Position of the European Parliament of 15 January 2014 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 11 February 2014.],
Whereas:
(1) The absence of clear rules at Union level governing the award of concession contracts gives rise to legal uncertainty and to obstacles to the free provision of services and causes distortions in the functioning of the internal market. As a r
…