ECB's Santos Pereira pushes for deeper EU integration

LISBON, Oct 22 (Reuters) - ECB policymaker Alvaro Santos Pereira said on Thursday that Europe's difficult geopolitical environment and technological shortcomings show it is time to give fresh momentum to European integration by deepening the single market in services, transport and energy.

• The remarks by Portugal's central bank governor add to growing calls from European policymakers to deepen integration and remove barriers seen as weighing on the bloc's competitiveness and growth.

• The single market reduced many forms of fragmentation, he noted, but significant barriers persist.

•  The remaining challenges are more complex because they are rooted in national institutions and regulations, he said at a conference.

• It was vital to complete integration in areas where it remains limited, including services, transport and energy, he added.

(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)