Brussels, 03/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - Review of the Single Market, the impact of the economic crisis on European competitiveness and the specific case of the car industry will be at the heart of the discussions of the first Competitiveness Council under the Czech Presidency, in Brussels on 5-6 March. On Friday, Ondøej Liška will take over from Martin Øíman, chairing discussions with Research Ministers on the European Research Area and the role of research infrastructure in the economic recovery plan.
INTERNAL MARKET-INDUSTRY. After an exchange of views on the Single Market Review, then the Lisbon Strategy, ministers will, over lunch, discuss the impact of the current economic situation on EU competitiveness, and, in particular, of the car industry.
Single Market review. The Competitiveness Council will adopt its contribution to the Spring European Council. This will be in two documents, the first a key issues paper on European competitiveness, and the second setting out conclusions on the revised internal market strategy (see EUROPE 9850). The first paper contains five points: - a fully functioning internal market without barriers, the Presidency insisting on implementation of the services directive from the end of 2009; - putting into effect the Action Programme on reducing the administrative burden on businesses, an initiative close to Dutch, Scandinavian and British hearts; - improving the framework conditions for industry, with special focus on innovation (investment in energy efficiency, for example) and SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) competitiveness through the Small Business Act; - enhancing the level and quality of investment in the “triangle of knowledge” (education/research/innovation); - the external dimension of competitiveness. The document, drafted against a background of economic and financial crisis, notes the emergency measures taken by the EU and its member states under the European recovery plan and sets out the medium- and long-term measures needed for the European economy to come out stronger and more competitive.
Car industry. Ministers will discuss and adopt conclusion on support measures for the car industry, in line with the European economic recovery plan which proposes immediate, targeted and temporary measures for industry as a whole, including the car industry. Following on from the ruminations of the informal European Council of 1 March on the basis for the policy framework proposed by the Commission on 25 February (see EUROPE 9848), the conclusions confirm the need for urgent action with short term steps that mesh with long-term measures, while avoiding any distortion of the principles that govern the internal market and abiding by state aid rules. The debate will focus on the main factors that guarantee the sector's long-term competitiveness and the need for short-term coordinated action at European level, such as: - improvement of access to finance for the car industry; - keeping focus on investment in innovative and clean technologies; - development of a skilled workforce; - policy options to facilitate socially responsible restructuring of the sector; - encouraging the renewal of the European car fleet; - taking account of the external dimension of competitiveness and the need for dialogue with third country trade partners on the future of the car industry.
Better regulation. The Presidency will present a progress report on the better regulation initiative based on the Commission's 3rd Strategic Review of this programme, presented on 28 January (see EUROPE 9828).
RESEARCH. Two issues will be central to discussions among research ministers, who will first discuss the future of the European Research Area (ERA), building on the work carried out by the Slovenian (Ljubljana process) and French Presidencies and the conclusions adopted by the Competitiveness Council in December 2008 on the definition of a “2020 vision for the European Research Area” (see EUROEP 9795). To structure the debate, ministers will be invited to express views on the importance of focussing on both the level of R&D investment and its effectiveness and whether the evaluation of R&D results and the reinforcement of the interactions within the knowledge triangle are the appropriate tools for strengthening R&D investment. Ministers will be asked to define the most pressing priorities of the 2020 Vision for the ERA and related initiative, in the light of the global crisis. With a view to adopting conclusions in May, ministers will exchange views on European research infrastructure, working from the following questions: - In what ways would research infrastructure improve promoting the collaboration within the knowledge triangle, and thus contribute to the competitiveness of Europe? - What contribution do you think the development of research infrastructure can make to European industry in the context of the Recovery Plan? What could be the implications to the implementation of the ESFRI (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures) roadmap? - What kind of policy measures do member states consider essential for achieving optimal distribution of research infrastructure throughout the ERA? (M.B./E.H./transl.rt)