The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe strongly deplores the blocking of the Council concerning the future headquarters of the European Patent Court. The location of this body, which France, Germany and the United Kingdom are fighting for, is the last obstacle to the adoption of common patent rules, awaited for over 30 years.

For Guy Verhofstadt, President of ALDE, the inability of Paris, Berlin and London to come to an agreement is "a scandal". "The European patent is a longstanding issue on the European agenda. Now that we are finally coming close to the end, Sarkozy, Merkel and Cameron find nothing better to do then start a battle for the new seat!" he denounces. "The single patent could cost up to 80% less for businesses which would open up new opportunities for SMEs' to access the internal market. This asset should not be overlooked during a period when recession is threatening us."

"In these troubled times, Europeans should avoid unnecessary controversy. The seat of the European Patent Court could be a similar compromise to that which was found in 2001 when the Food Agency was disputed by Italy and Finland. At that time, Brussels was chosen as the temporary headquarters. I expect heads of state and governments to do the same at their meeting January 30 meeting.  This in no way prejudices a future location as today the European food Safety Authority has its seat in Parma, and since then compensation was found for Finland, "said Guy Verhofstadt.