22. Stresses that it is inappropriate for public funds allocated to SSGI to be used otherwise than to fulfil the objectives of the service, and that no part of such funding, apart from reasonable staff and overhead costs incurred in service delivery, should be used for any other purpose; takes the view that the legitimate objective of profit maximisation which underlies private commercial provision of commercial services conflicts unacceptably with the principles and objectives of SSGI; is of the opinion that where Member State authorities choose to use indirect delivery of SSGI, the general interest must be protected, and that they sh ...[+++]ould, while ensuring quality, innovation, efficiency and cost effectiveness, support social economy enterprises, where any surplus is reinvested in the service and in innovation, and encourage them to operate as providers;

41. Points out that, as regards the selection of ground handlers supplying restricted services, the opinion of airline users is sometimes not thoroughly considered by airports, and recalls that there have been cases where ground handlers providing restricted services have been chosen against the quasi-unanimous opinion of the Airport Users' committee;

9. Considers that evaluation of services of general interest must also include the aspect of services to be provided to all in each sector, for example universal service in the telecommunications sector;

21. Considers that a European model for uniform services of general interest is not provided for or allowed under the Treaties, but that in principle the Member States and their sub‑levels are solely responsible for deciding which services they wish to provide in the general interest and who is to be entrusted with performing such services; notes that the EU is responsible in particular for preventing, in this connection, restriction of competition in cross-border trade and situations involving discrimination.

21 Considers, in relation to the provision of services of general interest, that clarification is required of the admissibility of state provision whereby only additional costs are to be offset, and calls for it to be stipulated that aid rules shall not be applied to 'non-economic activities';

An extensive survey using "focus group" techniques has been conducted to gather in-depth qualitative information on citizens' views about the provision of services of general economic interest.