At the Competitiveness Council on Thursday 29 November, the competent ministers of the EU Member States adopted a partial general approach to the Regulation establishing the Single Market Programme, with some amendments, such as a focus on the tourism sector, increased support for SMEs through InvestEU and COSME (programme for the competitiveness of enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises) and improved protection for European consumers against the dual quality of the same product on the EU territory.
As a reminder, in June, the European Commission presented in view of the next multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, an umbrella programme with a budget of €4 billion, which includes five programmes aimed at strengthening the functioning of the internal market and the competitiveness of businesses, but also consumer protection, particularly in the food sector (see EUROPE 12036).
More specifically, delegations added the specific mention of the plant, animal, food and feed sector in the title of the Regulation and in the subject matter of the Regulation to better reflect their importance in the overall financial envelope of the programme.
They also provided more details on the implementation and governance of the programme, in particular as regards the work programmes, the role of the European Statistical System Committee in the recitals, the support provided by two additional committees and the interim evaluation of the programme.
The Member States have placed emphasis in the objectives of the programme on preventing inequalities in the treatment of players in the internal market and on supporting SMEs, particularly in the tourism sector.
They supported the need to strengthen skills related to digitisation - a long-standing demand of SMEs (see EUROPE 12051). They have taken better account of consumer interests and detailed the actions, entities and costs eligible for the programmes and specified the co-financing rates in the plant, animal, food and feed sector.
Budget. During its intervention in the Council, Belgium indicated that the programme envelope provided for by the Commission was not sufficient in its view and that it would argue for its increase in the context of the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027.
Industrial strategy, new call from Member States
Member States also adopted further conclusions calling on the European Commission, and in particular the next Commission, to present a long-term holistic industrial strategy (2030 and beyond).
They advocate a strengthening of governance, in particular so that industry is better taken into account in future European policies and is treated more transversely within the Council in the various formations.
The industrial sector has not been a priority for this European Commission, much to the displeasure of many Member States. "Our objective is to push forward", explains a diplomatic source, noting a gradual change in attitude on the part of the Commission and some Member States towards the industrial sector, particularly due to the behaviour on the international market of China and the United States, which are developing state-supported industrial policies.
On December 18, a meeting of the Friends of Industry will be held in Paris, with the participation of 11 ministers. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)