The strategic autonomy of the European Union, and in particular of its industry, is one of the main priorities of the French Presidency of the EU Council, according to its work programme for the next 6 months.
The programme says that the Presidency therefore “aims to promote a more sovereign and innovative Europe of knowledge and industry, which is making progress in the digital and ecological transition”.
It intends to continue implementing the industrial strategy updated in May 2021 (see EUROPE 12713/6) by focussing on industrial ecosystems and developing “new European production capacities”.
Here, important projects of common European interest (IPCEI) are highlighted, in particular in the health, hydrogen, electronics and ‘cloud’ sectors. France intends to start work on the proposed legislation on electronic chips (‘European Chips Act’ - see EUROPE 12791/4) as soon as it is published by the Commission. In addition, it wants to push forward the negotiations on the proposed regulation on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market.
Emergency instrument for the internal market
The internal market will be the focus of attention, says the French Presidency, which intends to build on the European Commission’s second annual internal market report to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of EU rules. It will also initiate legislative work on the Single Market Emergency Instrument, which is expected to be presented shortly by the European Commission (see EUROPE 12713/6).
Intellectual property and the unified patent
On the intellectual property front, France intends to push forward the proposal on designs to modernise the system and wants to strengthen European protection for geographical indications. It “will accompany” the establishment of the Unified Patent Court, which should take place later this year, after many years of waiting and numerous twists and turns (see EUROPE 12818/24).
Chargers, construction and vehicle data
On the purely legislative front, France wants to make progress in the negotiations on the Common Charger Directive (see EUROPE 12845/7) and the Machinery Regulation (see EUROPE 12820/29). It hopes to start work on the Construction Products Regulation and the Vehicle Data Regulation. Finally, the Presidency will also look at the market for new vehicles (EURO 7).
An informal ministerial meeting on ‘competitiveness’ will be held on 31 January and 1 February in Lens, followed by another dedicated to space in Toulouse on 16 February. A Council meeting on ‘competitiveness’ is scheduled for 24 February. Another Council meeting is planned for 9 June.
To consult the programme of the French Presidency of the EU Council: https://bit.ly/3EOfJcZ (in French) (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)