Brussels, 09/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - At the first formal meeting of the Competitiveness Council under Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, in Luxembourg on Thursday 11 October, European industry ministers are expected to begin working on updating EU industrial policy, and to take stock of the state of play of the Single Market Act. Adoption of a resolution on the European consumer agenda is also expected.
Industrial policy. Headed by their Cypriot counterpart, Neoklis Sylikiotis, the European industry ministers will hold an exchange of views on updating industrial strategy for the EU, which will have been unveiled the day before by the Commission in a communication reviewing that of 2010. The debate will cover the four key pillars upheld by the European Commission. These are: investments in promising innovative sectors (green products and vehicles, organic products, key enabling technologies and smart networks); exploitation of the internal market and international markets; access to finance; and investment in people and skills. The aim is that this upgrading will stimulate economic recovery and job creation within the EU, while facilitating transition towards a low carbon economy. The result of the debates will fuel the conclusions to be adopted by the Council in December.
Construction sector. Ministers will hold an exchange of views on the situation in the construction sector in the different EU countries and on support measures set in place or contemplated. The debate will also provide an opportunity for assessment of the action plan presented in July this year by the Commission (see EUROPE 10666).
Key enabling technologies. The Council will adopt conclusions on the basis of the strategy tabled by the Commission in July for the development of micro- and nano-electronics, nanotechnology, photonics, advanced materials, industrial biotechnology and advanced manufacturing technologies. The Council will thus give its approval to the launching of a European innovation partnership for raw material, in line with the initiative proposed in March by the Commission (see EUROPE 105567). The Commission will report to the Council by July 2013 on progress achieved in the innovation partnerships.
Cultural and creative industries. Ministers will also initiate debate on the economic importance of the creative industries further to the strategy presented by the Commission on 26 September in order to deploy the sector's full potential. Ministers will discuss possible measures to be taken to promote the rise of these industries and, in particular, to create an environment that is propitious for the development of innovation. Cultural and creative industries currently account for 3.3% of GDP and 3% of total employment in the EU. However, their importance is even greater if one considers other sectors which rely on cultural and creative input.
Internal market. One week after Michel Barnier's presentation of the Single Market Act II and of 12 new priorities for giving momentum to European growth, ministers will be taking stock of the state of play of the first casting of the Single Market Act, presented in April 2011. Ministers are expected to note the meagre progress made to date in the implementation of the 12 measures adopted in 2011. Only one proposal has been adopted so far - that on standardisation in services - while six others are well on track for being adopted by the end of the year. These are: the alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes (CADR); the online dispute resolution for consumer disputes (ODR); the European venture capital fund proposal; the European social entrepreneurship fund; the directive on accounting norms; and the patent. For the four other proposals - vocational qualifications, public procurement, electronic signature and the posting of workers - the deadlines set by the European Council are not, however, expected to be kept. In a letter to member states on 8 October, the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, spoke emotionally of the situation and even proposed that these delays be discussed during the next European summit.
Consumers. The Council is expected to approve a political resolution on the European consumer agenda, presented by the European Commission on 22 May this year to define the political framework for EU action in years to come, with a two-fold objective: - to increase consumer confidence in the internal market and strengthen consumer rights so that they are more active on the market and thus give growth the kick-start it needs (see EUROPE 10618). The Council is expected to give its endorsement to the Commission's vision, as set out in its communication entitled “A European Consumer Agenda - Boosting Confidence and Growth”, which sets out the key measures for achieving this. These measures are: reinforcing consumer safety for goods, services and food, strengthening the regulatory framework and making market surveillance more efficient; enhancing knowledge through targeted consumer information and education; improving enforcement and security redress; and aligning rights and key policies to the digital age. The resolution will be a useful political tool that will guide the Commission and member states in the implementation of the new consumer policy programme 2014-2020. (EH/IL/SP/AN/transl.jl)