Brussels, 03/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - It is around a full agenda that on Thursday 6 June the fifteen ministers for industry of the European Union will meet. They should adopt conclusions on a series of subjects ranging from competitiveness to sustainable development passing through biotechnology. Remains that no notable decision is expected. Certainly, ministers will examine the 5th report on shipbuilding in the world, but it is not certain that they will return to the thorny issue of South Korean unfair practices in the area. The Council will, moreover, examine an "interim report" on the proposal aimed at introducing a new system for implementing rules of competition. Commissioner Mario Monti will present ministers with the latest update of the scoreboard on State aid.
The Council will hear the Commission brief it on its latest report on the situation in shipbuilding in the world, a text that refers to serious difficulties due to unfair practices in the field (see EUROPE of 1 May, p.10). According to the Spanish Presidency, it could also, "possibly", review, over lunch, the proposal aimed at setting up a temporary defence mechanism for European shipyards against South Korean dumping practices. The Presidency did, however, tell the press on Friday that the latest report on obstacles to trade (ROT) drawn up by the Commission (see EUROPE of 8 May, p.12) "has not contributed in breaking the deadlock in the matter" and that it is therefore likely that the Fifteen will simply "note that there have been no developments" since last December's Industry Council. In that report, approved on 7 May, the Commission indeed believes that it would be premature to conclude that there are unfair practices by Seoul on the gas tanker segment. Yet, the proposal aiming to establish a temporary defence mechanism could only manage a majority with France's votes, which demands the inclusion of gas tankers in the list of vessels eligible for aid.
Competitiveness and company policy. The Council should adopt conclusions on the recent Commission communication referring to a worsening of the productivity of work in the EU (see EUROPE of 22 May, p.11 and 24 May, p.12), as well as the communication relating to the impact of the "e-economy" on companies. It will turn to the follow-up to give o the European Council of Barcelona regarding implementing the European Charter for SMEs.
Sustainable development. The Council will adopt conclusions stressing the role played by company policy and companies themselves in achieving the goal of sustainable development. One can expect these discussions to be focused on the problem of the weakening of competitiveness and relocations that could engender actions, notably regulatory, implemented to assure sustainable development. Ministers will also hear the Commissioner responsible for companies and the information society, Erkki Liikanen, brief them on the new Commission strategy for chemical products.
Steel. The Commissioner responsible for trade, Pascal Lamy, will brief the Council on the latest developments in the EU/United States dispute over steel. No decision is expected in the matter, the issue coming within remit of the General Affairs Council. Ministers will also hear an exposé by the Commission on: - the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty; - the future of the structured dialogue in the coal and steel sector; - the statistical system for the two sectors; and on preparations for a multi-sectoral framework for regional aid for large investment projects.
Competition policy. The Council will be referred an interim report on the proposal aimed at reforming the current system regarding the matter, in order, notably, to allow for a decentralised application of competition law. Under the Spanish Presidency, work will focus on the functioning of the network of competition authorities in the framework of the new system. On this issue, there is a difference of views between Member states on whether or not allocating cases to the members of the network must be regulated in detail in the Council and Commission's joint declaration, that will be adopted at the same time as the regulation, or else in a communication to be adopted by the Commission.
State aid. Mario Monti will present the Council with the Spring 2002 update of the scoreboard of State aid (see EUROPE of 6 September 2001, p.9).
Life science and biotechnology. Basing itself on a communication presented by the Commission last September (see EUROPE of 6 September 2001, p.9), the Council should adopt conclusions on the measures required better to exploit the potential of biotechnology and strengthen the EU's competitiveness in the sector.
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The Spanish Presidency will issue a declaration on the outcome of the EuroMed industry ministers' conference in Malaga on 9/10 April, after which the ministers will be addressed by Commissioner Liikanen on the conclusions the Commission is planning to make on the report by the G10 working group on the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry.