Brussels, 22/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - European ministers of the economy are meeting on Monday 25 February. They will be adopting their contribution for the European spring summit and will attempt to define a general orientation on the Joint Technological Initiative (JTI) “Hydrogen fuel cells” and will mention the energy-climate package.
In the perspective of the European Council of 13-14 March, ministers for industry will adopt key issues papers on competitiveness and innovation and the major challenges in the second cycle (2008-12) of the revised Lisbon strategy. The document focuses on the following issues: investment in knowledge, research and innovation; releasing growth potential of SMEs; transition to a low carbon economy; competitiveness on the global market. Prior to that, the Competitiveness Council will have discussed the Lisbon reform process on the basis of a questionnaire prepared by the Slovenian presidency. In the area of the internal market, they will discuss conclusions on the internal market revised strategy (see other article).
It is quite likely that the Council will define a general orientation on the draft regulation creating the joint “hydrogen fuel cell” company. This JTI intends to provide a legal framework encouraging EU companies to collaborate in the implementation of an R&D programme in Europe in the field of hydrogen fuel cells. The draft regulation was presented by the Commission last October (EUROPE 9520). The future public-private partnership will be implemented over the next six years through public and private funding of €470 million in the 7th Framework Research Programme. Research ministers will exchange views on the Strategic Development Plan for Energy Technologies proposed by the Commission last November (“SET-Plan” EUROPE 9549. Discussion will focus on the “research” aspect of the dossier and is part of the Energy Council's remit. The latter will adopt specific conclusions three days later on the impact of the SET-Plan on competitiveness in European industry, in view of the European Council.
Various. The Slovenian presidency will examine introductory discussions on the Climate/energy package of last January, which will be the subject of an initial political debate at the Environment Council on 3 March. Seven member states have not written to the Slovenian presidency and Commission asking them to scrupulously ensure that binding commitments and EU unilateral measures do not undermine the competitiveness of European industry (EUROPE 9607).
The Council will be informed by the presidency of progress in the work on the draft directive on reducing car particle emissions. This proposal was presented last December and accompanies the new Community strategy on reducing CO2 emissions from cars and new light utility vehicles. This text will also be on the next Environment Council's agenda (EUROPE 9569). Commissioner Kuneva is in charge of consumer protection and will present the Commission's initiative on the European consumer score board, which analyses how different economic sectors work from a perspective of consumer protection (EUROPE A.N./B.C./E.H./M.B.)