On Wednesday 8 September, the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council presented the provisional agenda of the Competitiveness Council – which is due to take place on 28-29 September – to the Member States’ ambassadors to the EU.
The first day will be dedicated to research. An exchange of views will be held over the governance and implementation of the European Research Area. Conclusions regarding a comprehensive approach to research and innovation should be adopted.
An information point will be organised on the association of third countries within the context of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme – this is a controversial topic including the recent decision of the European Commission to exclude certain Member States that have been historically associated with the programme (see EUROPE 12750/11).
The following day will be dedicated to the internal market and to industry. The Slovenian Presidency is set to organise a political debate on the consequences of the new ‘Fit for 55’ package on the industrial sector and the implementation of the new industrial strategy. This item will be made public.
In addition, relevant ministers will be asked to comment on how the quality of European rules can be improved in order to strengthen the internal market. An information point will be held by the European Commission on the annual report of the SMET working group (created when the industrial strategy was updated – see EUROPE 12464/16) on the enforcement of single market rules.
The meeting will be held face-to-face, the Presidency told the ambassadors, and there will only be morning sessions on both days, each accompanied by an informal working lunch.
Some Member States (more than a dozen) are said to have expressed their regret at the treatment of the SMET working group. The Presidency reportedly indicated that the subject could be discussed during the working lunch, which was dedicated to the subject of the internal market.
To consult the provisional agenda: https://bit.ly/38QxJ90 (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)