Brussels, 04/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On the basis of previous work, reflections from the informal Lhati Council and the Commission's communication of 13 September (EUROPE 9319), the Competitiveness Council on Monday in Brussels adopted conclusions on the Community strategy for innovation. These will be submitted for approval at the European Council on 14-15 December.
Ministers for industry believe that joint action must be carried out at a European level and therefore agreed on the following strategic priorities: a strategy for industrial property rights (IPR). As ministers were unable to agree on a more ambitious initial text, ministers gave their agreement on a compromise text of the Finnish presidency calling on the Commission to present a strategy in 2007 on IPR, particularly patents (see other article); the elaboration of a proactive policy on standardisation for speed up the process. The Commission is expected to come up with a proposal to this effect by September 2007; encourage innovation through public procurement. Commission orientations are expected to be presented in December; Joint Technological Initiatives (JTI) in key sectors (hydrogen batteries and fuel batteries, aeronautics and air transport, innovating medicine, nano-electricity, integrated information systems and international monitoring in environment and security). The Council is calling on the Commission to formulate proposals by February 2007 for launching JTI which have already reached a state of preparedness that is sufficiently advanced; priorities on innovation and growth in pilot markets. The Council, which is particularly targeting low carbon technologies, eco-innovation, on-line health services, intelligent transport systems, digital content, energy efficiency, bio-energy/biotechnology, non-technology, earth satellite navigation and observation, security CIT and marine technologies, is calling on the Commission to present an initiative on these markets in 2007; reinforce cooperation between higher education, research and industry, The European Institute of Technology (EIT) is one of these key factors. In this context, the Council is calling on the Commission to explain what questions are still pending, notably the budgetary impact of creating the EIT; emphasising innovation at a regional level though cross-border and trans-national dialogue; highlighting innovation in services and non-technological innovation; development of venture capital markets. The Council is calling on the Commission to draft a report by November 2007 on barriers to cross-border venture capital investment.
The Competitiveness Council also pointed out that these Community measures should be taken at a national level. The Commission called for greater coherency and synergies between its different policies, national policies and the participation of stakeholders in an effort to avoid job duplication. Finally, the Competitiveness Council stresses the importance of the new Community framework applicable to state aid for helping develop R&D and innovation. (eh)