Brussels, 32/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - On the basis of the mid-term progress report drafted by the Commission on industrial policy (EUROPE 9461), SME policies (EUROPE 9501) and the strategy on digital competencies (EUROPE 9497), the Competitiveness Council, which met in Brussels on Thursday 22 November, adopted conclusions on an integrated approach to competitiveness. Reflecting the consensus reached during discussions at the informal Competitiveness Council of Lisbon (20-21 July) and at the level of Council working groups, these conclusions lay down political guidelines dealing with the industrial policy, SME policy, the digital strategy and priorities in the field of innovation. These conclusions, which are designed to feed into the debates of the European Council in December, also lay emphasis on the external dimension of European competitiveness. The conclusions also stressed that the new cycle (2008-2010) of the Partnership for Growth and Employment will be an essential instrument in facing current challenges. They acknowledge the need to reinforce competitiveness by looking into new reforms. These will focus, in particular on: - reinforcing the role of the industrial policy; - doing more to support SMEs; - guaranteeing education and life-long learning and strategies for digital competencies; - promoting the role of R&D and innovation; - guaranteeing a rational and effective internal market; - speeding up the implementation of the “Better Regulation” programme; - developing the external dimension of competitiveness, by laying emphasis on access of European SMEs to the global market. (E.H.)