The EU27 Ministers for Competitiveness will have to wait a little longer before tackling the future Industrial Accelerator Act, which the European Commission has finally postponed until 4 March (see EUROPE 13814/32). Meeting in Brussels on Thursday 26 February, they will discuss the role of the European Competitiveness Fund, how it can boost the competitiveness of SMEs and the new Consumer Agenda 2025-2030.
They will also be monitoring the various emergency plans for the most vulnerable industrial sectors, including steel and metals, chemicals and automotive.
After a fairly busy period on the subject of competitiveness, between the European Industry Summit convened in Antwerp and Alden Biesen’s ‘informal retreat’ on 12 February (see EUROPE 13807/1), the ministers will mainly be asked to provide new guidelines for the next European Council in March.
This applies in particular to the draft regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund, “a strategic resilience tool for SMEs and European value chains”, explained a diplomatic source on 24 February.
While the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU is working on new compromises on the content of this Fund, it is hoping for a partial political agreement (‘general approach’) under its mandate, even though this Fund is closely linked to the Multiannual Financial Framework.
“This exchange will provide political guidance on how to meet the needs of European SMEs”, said the source.
Another debate will then focus on the very mixed findings of the ‘2026 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report’ (see EUROPE 13798/2), which confirms the persistent barriers, high energy costs, red tape, limited access to finance and geopolitical pressures that continue to weigh on competitiveness.
The debate on emergency plans for industrial resilience should finally enable ministers to specify which priority solutions they feel are necessary to save industry and stimulate innovation (see EUROPE 13804/2).
Consumers. Ministers will be asked to confirm the EU Council’s conclusions on the 2030 Consumer Agenda (see EUROPE 13813/12).
These conclusions insist on the effective protection of consumers exposed to abusive practices and serious risks, particularly online, especially where minors are concerned.
Biotech. Under ‘any other business’, the ministers will also be informed of a working document from the Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Portuguese delegations on an ‘integral EU Biotech Act II for a competitive Europe’, following the Commission’s presentation of a first ‘Act’ in December.
“We call for a coherent EU Biotech Act I and II to support a broad scope that includes the medical and pharmaceutical, agri-food, biomanufacturing, industrial and environmental biotechnology sectors”.
Given the rapid pace of technological and geopolitical change, “we consider it important that national and EU regulations should align with the latest scientific findings. This will enable us to harness biotechnological innovations while maintaining high safety standards”.
One of the priorities will be “better European regulation. This also includes reducing the regulatory burden for biotechnology companies without compromising safety”.
For further information: https://aeur.eu/f/kw0
Research. The European research ministers will meet the following day, Friday 27 February. Firstly, they will discuss the Horizon Europe research and innovation framework programme for the period 2028-2034 (FP10), on the basis of a note prepared by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU (see EUROPE 13809/7).
The Presidency’s stated aim is to make progress towards a negotiating position (‘partial general approach’) at the EU ‘Competitiveness’ Council meeting scheduled for Thursday 28 May.
To read the note: https://aeur.eu/f/kr4
Next, the ministers are expected to adopt a ‘general approach’ to coal and steel research. The aim of this text is to support research and innovation projects that help coal-mining regions in transition to cope with deindustrialisation, study methane emissions, assess the local impact and promote the ecological transition while strengthening competitiveness.
To read the general approach documents: https://aeur.eu/f/kvt
Finally, the meeting will end with a lunch, during which the ministers will discuss the promotion of excellence and international cooperation in R&I in the current geopolitical context (see EUROPE 13798/31). In particular, they will exchange views on the role of the Horizon Europe research and innovation framework programme in this context. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic and Anne Damiani)