Brussels, 27/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - The first formal session of the Competitiveness Council under Portuguese EU Council presidency is being held on Friday 28 September in Brussels under the leadership of the ministers Manuel Pinho (economy and innovation) and Mariano Gago (science, technology and higher education). Points on the agenda include a mid-term review of SME policy and industrial policy, as well as proposals aimed at setting up the first four joint technology initiatives (JTIs). Research ministers will also discuss an initiative on the Community's participation in a research and development programme aimed at enhancing the quality of life of older persons through the use of new information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Industrial policy and SME policy. During the morning, industry minsters will hold an exchange of views on the mid-term review for EU industry policy (Commission report presented 4 July 2007, EUROPE 9461), the mid-term review of SME policy (Commission report due this October, EUROPE 9501) and the EU's e-skills strategy (Commission programme presented 7 September, EUROPE 9497). The Council has already begun preliminary discussion at expert level with a view to adopting a coherent set of conclusions covering these three issues and other aspects relating to European competitiveness, at the next Competitiveness Council on 22-23 November. Industrial and SME policies were the subject of constructive discussion at the informal Competitiveness Council in Lisbon on 20-21 July, when emphasis was placed on financing, innovation, improved regulation, internationalisation, energy efficiency and ways to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs on the global market.
Research. EU research ministers will hold a working lunch during which they will discuss four proposals aimed at establishing public/private joint technology initiatives concerning: - innovative medicines (IMI), the aim of which is to increase the competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical sector and speed up the process of developing new medicines; - embedded computing systems (ARTEMIS) to deliver reference designs that offer standard architectural approaches for given ranges of applications, such as invisible electronics and software in automobile construction; - aeronautics and air transport (CLEAN SKY) in order to develop environmentally-friendly technology throughout the aviation sector; - and nano-electronics technologies (ENIAC) to address the needs for silicon-based technologies throughout four technology domains: the shrinking of logic and memory devices, the development of value-added functions, equipment and materials, and design automation. After lunch, ministers will continue their debate on the same subject during a formal session. The above four joint initiatives should be adopted by the end of the year, the presidency's ambition being to launch implementation in early 2008. Ministers will also hold an exchange of views on a draft decision on the Community's participation in a research and development programme aimed at improving the quality of life of older people through the use of information and communications technology (ICT). In total, 13 EU member states and three third countries are taking part in this proposal for a programme on “Ambient Assisted Living” (AAL joint programmes). Ministers will hold a public debate on the proposal in order to provide policy guidelines for continuing work on a number of issues, such as selection criteria and the financing of projects under the programme, as well as rules for admission of new members.
Consumer protection. The day after the vote on the Parliament's resolution on product safety (toys in particular - see related article), Meglena Kuneva, Consumer Protection Commissioner, will brief ministers on measures envisaged to improve control of product safety in the EU at every stage of production and distribution, in response to the incidents this summer which led to millions of potentially dangerous toys made in China being withdrawn from the market by the American toy giant, Mattel. Ms Kuneva will also speak on the new proposal for a directive on time-sharing and multi-ownership holiday accommodation (EUROPE 9441) and on the Green Paper on the review of consumer acquis: - the outcome of the consultation period (EUROPE 9362).
Miscellaneous. The Competitiveness Council will take stock of the state of play regarding the project for a European Institute of Technology (EUROPE 9418, 9431, 9451, 9454 and 9510), in the light of the European Parliament's vote on 26 September, as well as the preparation for the high level conference on “the future of science and technology in Europe” to be held in Lisbon on 8-10 October. (an/bc/eh)