The Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU's draft conclusions document published on Monday 10 September on an industrial policy strategy for the EU for the Competitiveness Council in November insists on a strengthening of investment in the industrial fabric of Europe and a horizontal European approach.
The Austrian presidency wants to put the focus on coordinated political action at EU, national and regional level, and encourages the integration of industrial issues in all future European initiatives. Above all, it wants an integrated decision-making approach introducing the question of industrial competitiveness at horizontal level across all formats of the Council of the EU.
The Austrian Presidency also wants to guide action in the upcoming multiannual financial framework towards ‘industrial transformation’ by ‘increasing’ investment for innovation and research for the European industrial base. If the text is kept in its current format, it would send positive message to the European Commission’s proposals, notably for its draft regulation in favour of the Single Market (see EUROPE 12036) and for Horizon Europe (see EUROPE 12036), which emphasises SMEs.
The proposal will be discussed on 17 September by the working group on competitiveness and growth. The Competitiveness Council of 29 November will be devoted to industrial policy.
At an informal meeting in July, the Austrian Presidency announced it would be unveiling a document in September to fuel debate (see EUROPE 12064). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)