Preparation of the Competitiveness Council of Ministers, Brussels, 29/30 May 2008
The EU Competitiveness Council will meet in Brussels on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May under the chairmanship of Mr Andrej Vizjak, Minister for Economy of Slovenia, Mr Gregor Virant, Minister of Public Administration, and Ms Mojca Kucler Dolinar, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Slovenia. The European Commission will be represented by, Vice President Gunter Verheugen, responsible for Enterprise and Industry, Commissioner Charlie McCreevy responsible for the Internal Market and Services, Commissioner Janez Potocnik for Science and Research, Danuta Hubner, Commissioner for Regional Policy and Jan Figel Commissioner for Education, training, culture and youth.
1. A Fresh Impetus for Competitiveness and Innovation of European Industry (TVL)
In October 2005 in the face of globalisation and intense international competition, the European Commission launched a new industrial policy to create better framework conditions for manufacturing industries in the coming years. The Commission has been active in its efforts to promote a dynamic and competitive European industrial sector and has come forward with in the last two years with a raft of industry-related initiatives (lead market initiative, venture capital funds, standardisation for innovation, pre-commercial procurement, metals industries, forest-based industries and defence industries), which aim to make the EU a more dynamic and competitive knowledge-based safe and sustainable economy. Ministers are expected to adopt Conclusions entitled ‘A fresh Impetus for Competitiveness and Innovation of European Industry’, which are based the commission initiatives.
2. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: "Second Strategic Review of Better Regulation in the European Union(TVL)
Improving the regulatory environment has become a main priority for the EU institutions and the member states. This Commission has given the highest priority to simplifying the regulatory environment in Europe and to easing administrative burdens on businesses
Cutting red tape has reached cruising speed in the EU and is now delivering the first tangible benefits to citizens and enterprises. The second progress report on the strategy for simplifying the regulatory environment tabled by the European Commission in January lists a series of impressive results already delivered and a set of ambitious further measures that will be presented by the Commission in the course of 2008. Examples of simplification proposals already adopted include the "Single Payments Area" in the EU which could save the EU economy up to €28 billion per year and the new electronic Customs Code which will boost international trade and save businesses up to €2,5 billion/year. The Commission also reported on how it is using impact assessments in the policy-making process. All new Commission proposals benefit from an impact assessment that provides a thorough analysis of all significant economic, social and environmental impacts. The independent "Impact Assessment Board", which the Commission put in place at the end of 2006, is monitoring and providing advice on impact assessments and this has led to significant improvements in the quality of Commission proposals.
In March the Commission presented its list of eleven new fast track actions to reduce administrative burdens for companies, in order to enhance economic growth. They are the second package of such fast track actions and form part of the overall programme to reduce the administrative burdens for entrepreneurs, by 25 percent in 2012. These immediate measures are likely to generate significant benefits of around 1 Billion Euro through technical changes in existing rules (e.g. reporting obligations).Ministers are expected to adopt conclusions.
3. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council "Enhancing the patent system in Europe" (OD)
In April 2007 the Commission has set out its vision, in the form of a Communication, for improving the patent system in Europe and for revitalising the debate on this issue. The communication intended to draw operational conclusions from the stakeholder consultation and to allow the Council to launch deliberations on patent reforms, in particular on the Community patent and jurisdictional arrangements. It addresses various supporting measures for an improved patent system, such as patent quality, knowledge transfer and enforcement issues. Ministers will discuss a progress report on this issue prepared by the Slovenian Presidency. Commissioner McCreevy will encourage Member States to continue to work constructively in this process.
RESEARCH
4. Proposal for a Council Regulation setting up the Fuel cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (CR)
The proposal for a Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative was adopted by the European Commission on the 10 October 2007. Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier. When used as fuel either in combustion motors or in fuel-cell systems, it does not produce any carbon emissions (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons or particulates).
The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative will receive €470 million
from the EU's 7th Framework Programme, an amount that will be matched by the industrial partners. This initiative will offer long term solutions for sustainable energy and transport systems. (IP/07/1468, MEMO/07/404)
Joint Technology Initiatives are a major new element of the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme. They provide a way of creating new partnerships between publicly and privately-funded organisations involved in research.
Ministers are expected to adopt the regulation setting up the Joint Technology Initiative.
5. Commission Recommendation on the management of intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities and Code of Practice for universities and other public research organisations ("IP Charter Initiative") CR, JD)
While the European output in terms of scientific publication is comparable to that of the US, European universities and public research organisations produce considerably less inventions, file less patents, negotiate fewer licensing deals and generate a lower number of spin-offs than their US counterparts. Europe is better at producing high-level knowledge than at converting it into socio-economic benefits.
On the 10 April 2008 the European Commission therefore adopted a Recommendation on the management of intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities of universities and other public research organisations (IP/08/555).
The Recommendation provides universities and other public research organisations with operational principles to effectively manage and exploit intellectual property. It also includes a "Code of Practice" for universities and other public research organisations, that offers more operational principles which they should rely on when developing or reviewing institutional policies.
The Recommendation is addressed to all Member States to help them develop or adapt policies or guidelines on the management of intellectual property and knowledge transfer activities.
The Competitiveness Council is expected to endorse the recommendation.
6. Draft Council conclusions on "European Research Infrastructures and their regional dimension" (CR)
Building on the recommendations on how to make better coordinated use of Structural Funds and Framework Programme to support R&D (IP/07/1291) and the adoption of the Commission Communication on competitive European regions through research and innovation on 16 August 2007 (text available here), a Conference was organised in Brdo, Slovenia, in March 2008 with the title “Research Infrastructures and their Structuring Dimension within the European Research Area”, which counted on the active participation of Commission representatives.
The Conference aimed at clarifying the challenges and opportunities at the regional, national, or inter-regional levels related to the development of infrastructures of pan-European character, highlighting the contribution of infrastructures to the Lisbon objectives, while reviewing the recommendations to improve the financial engineering of research infrastructures for their construction and sustainable operation
At this Council meeting, the adoption of Council conclusions is expected.
7. Draft Council conclusions on "Family-friendly Scientific Careers: towards an integrated model"(CR)
8. Draft Council conclusions on the launch of the Ljubljana Process - towards full realisation of ERA (CR)
(Public debate, pursuant to Article 8(3) CRP [proposed by the Presidency])
Any Other Business
(a) Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys (TVL)
In January the Commission has came forward with proposals for measures to improve toy safety in Europe. The Commission wants to strengthen EU-rules, especially those relating to the use of chemical substances in toys. The proposal tabled aims at enhancing the safety of toys and replacing and modernizing the 20 years old Toys Directive 88/378/EEC of 3rd May 1988. The revision has a threefold objective: first and foremost there will be new and higher safety requirements to cope with recently identified hazards, secondly it will strengthen manufacturers’ and importers' responsibility for the marketing of toys and finally it enhances the market surveillance obligations of Member States. Vice President Verheugen will present the proposal to Ministers.
(b) Small Business Act for Europe Initiative (TVL)
The objective of the Commission in coming forward with a Small Business Act for Europe is to put small and medium sized enterprises at the forefront of decision-making in the EU and to introduce concrete measures to unlock the growth potential for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). It will include new initiatives to reduce regulatory burden on SMEs, facilitate access to Single Market/public procurement, help provide necessary financial/human resources for SME development and help SMEs face the challenge of globalization and climate change. The preparation of a "Small Business Act" for Europe is one of the key measures announced in the Commission's package for the next cycle of the Growth and Jobs Strategy adopted last December.2008. Vice President Verheugen will provide Ministers with an update on the preparation of the proposal.
(c) Outcome of the informal meeting of Competitiveness Ministers
(Brdo, Slovenia, 1516 April 2008)
– Information from the Presidency
(d) Transposition of the "Services" Directive (OD)
Commissioner Charlie McCreevy will provide Ministers with a state of play of the ongoing implementation process of the Services Directive, which is now reaching its mid-term. Commissioner McCreevy will encourage Member States to sustain their commitment to full and timely implementation and draw their attention to particular aspects of the Directive, such as the points of single contact, where more efforts are required to meet the December 2009 deadline.
(e) Reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles
– Information from the Presidency on the state of play
(f) Results of negotiations on cohesion policy strategies and programmes for 2007-2013: information from the Commission (EK)
Commissioner Danuta Hübner will present a Communication on the results of negotiations on cohesion policy strategies and programmes for 2007-2013. This analyses the 450 programmes adopted, and concludes that Member States and regions have earmarked significant investment for competitiveness, jobs and growth in line with the Lisbon Strategy. The EU is investing a total of €347.4 billion through Cohesion Policy for the 2007-2013 cycle. Cohesion policy will support flagship projects to advance the growth and jobs agenda across the Union, complementing other Community policies. This round of negotiations has yielded programmes that are well targeted, thanks to improvements in the way talks were conducted. Negotiations involved a far wider range of actors – social and economic partners, as well as civil society. Commissioner Hubner will outline the targets Member States have defined for: Research and innovation; Information and communication technologies (ICT); Support for business, particularly small and medium enterprises; Improving quality and availability of education and training; and Environment challenges.
(g) Fees charged by the Office for the Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) (OD)
Ministers will discuss the follow-up to the Conclusions of the Competitiveness Council of May 2007 on the Financial Perspectives of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) and the further development of the Community trade mark system. Commissioner Charlie McCreevy will inform Ministers about the state of play in particular on the reduction of the OHIM fees.
(h) Communication from the Commission on Better Careers and More Mobility: a European Partnership for Researchers (CR)
– Information from the Commission
The Communication from the Commission on "Better careers and more mobility: a European Partnership for Researchers" was adopted by the Commission on May 23rd (IP/ 08/ 302; MEMO 08/ 343).
The European Commission seeks a partnership with Member States to ensure that the necessary human resources are available to sustain and enhance the contribution of science and technology to a knowledge-based European economy. Joint priority actions should make the EU a more attractive place for researchers, and allow researchers to be more mobile between countries, institutions, and between the academic and private sectors. Key areas for action are the systematic opening up of recruitment, meeting the social security and pension needs of mobile researchers, providing fair employment and working conditions, and ensuring that researchers have the right training and skills.
At this Council, Commissioner Potocnik will call on the Member States to commit to achieving by the end of 2010 rapid and measurable progress in the 4 key areas.
(i) Proposal for a research and development programme aimed at enhancing the quality of life of older people through the use of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) (AAL)
Proposal for a Decision on the participation of the Community in a research and development programme aimed at supporting research and development performing SMEs (Eurostars Joint Programme) (CR)
– Information from the Presidency on the state of play
The Eurostars Programme is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to SMEs. Eurostars will stimulate them to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding.
Eurostars projects are market driven European research and development projects. They can address any technological area, but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service. (IP/07/1313)
The Presidency will update the Council on progress regarding the Commission's proposal, expected to be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council before the summer.
(j) Commission Recommendation on a code of conduct for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research (CR)
– Presentation by the Commission
Europe is in the forefront of the emerging field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies, a science field with the potential for major positive impact economically, socially and environmentally. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain about the impact of these technologies on human health and the environment, as well as issues relating to ethics and the respect of fundamental rights.
This is why the Commission adopted this Recommendation on 7 February (IP/ 08/ 193), calling on Member States to adopt a Code of Conduct in order to govern the research developments in this field. Based on 7 general principles (Meaning, Sustainability, Precaution, Inclusiveness, Excellence, Innovation and Accountability), the Code of Conduct invites Member States to take concrete action, involving universities, research institutes and companies, for the safe development and use of nanotechnologies.
The Code is voluntary in nature in order to ensure, among other, the active contribution of the research community at large in terms of identifying and monitoring possible risks.
Commissioner Potočnik will present the adopted Recommendation and recommend that Member States use the Code of Conduct as an instrument to encourage dialogue at all governance levels among policy makers, researchers, industry, ethics committees, civil society organisations and society at large.
(k) EU–Russia Permanent Partnership Council meeting on Research and Development (Brdo, Slovenia, 26 May 2008)
– Information from the Presidency
(l) Work Programme of the incoming Presidency
– Information from the French delegation
Published on: 2008-05-28
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