Brussels, 10/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - The work of the Competitiveness Council on 10 May in Brussels chaired by Luxembourg Minister for the Economy Jeannot Krecké partly focused on two points closely related to the Lisbon strategy. These were: the integrated guidelines (LDI) adopted by the Commission on 12 April this year (EUROPE 8926) which encompass the broad economic policy guidelines (BEPG) and the guidelines for employment - the Council mainly tackled micro-economic aspects of the integrated guidelines (see yesterday's EUROPE) - as well as the programme for competitiveness and innovation (CIP), amounting to over EUR 4 billion for the period 2007-2013 and adopted by the Commission on 7 April (EUROPE 8923). Mr Krecké said during the final press conference that, on the whole, the Council supported the Commission's approach on LDI and CIP. We would point out that the Council tackled the future of the European industry. “We do not wish to speak of disindustrialisation - rebirth is even possible”, the Council president said. EUROPE will come back to this.
Ministers discussed at length the situation of the European textile industry in difficulty given the massive inflow of textile products from China since the quota system was lifted on 1 January. Several Member States, especially France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and others have expressed considerable concern about the situation of their textile industry, Mr Krecké said. The French minister for industry, Patrick Devedjian, said on this issue that they hoped the EU would be more active. Member States most affected by the new textile trade regime are still calling on the Commission to begin emergency procedure to shorten the inquiry and informal consultation procedure (lasting maximum of 60 days) with the Chinese authorities to encourage Beijing to scale down its textile exports. Mr Devedjian asked the Commission, represented by Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen, why, when the alarm thresholds (established in the guidelines that the Commission set out early April) affect 16 product categories, the Commission has only initiated its inquiry on 9 product categories.