Brussels, 24/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - On the basis of preparatory work by the European Commission - a communication on review of Community policy on innovation with specific documents (innovation in services, public support for innovation, assessment of Community policies, mid-term assessment of growth market and access to financing for SMEs, presented on 2 September - EU industry ministers meeting on Thursday 24 September in Brussels agreed on the need to give a kick-start to European policy for innovation and to make up for the current shortcomings. “As the Commission has said, all EU approaches have a certain fragility, resulting in an eurocratic system that lacks flexibility and affects our SMEs”, French Minister Christian Estrosi told the press. In its report, the Commission welcomes some progress made (allocation of funds to support R&D and innovation through cohesion policy, creation of the European Institute of Technology and hubs of competitiveness) but deplores the shortcomings (lack of legal framework for the protection of intellectual property, fragmentation of venture capital markets and a standardisation process that does not meet the needs of R&D and industry). This, as Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen explained on Thursday, is why member states have given their broad support to the project for an integrated Community plan on innovation, that the Commission will present during the first half of 2010. Summarising the content of discussions, the president of the Competitiveness Council, Maud Olofsson of Sweden, stressed there was clear convergence between member states on the imperative objectives of the future European policy on innovation, as follows: - innovation in services is as important as the technological innovation of products; - and “green” growth must be an essential aspect of innovation. In this respect, the promotion of electric cars is highlighted, especially by France, which calls for the adoption of common standards. Ms Olofsson also recalled the importance of eco-efficiency, the Presidency's favourite theme; - better marketing of the results of innovation; - more effective coordination between policies for innovation at Community, national and local levels, in respect of subsidiarity; - strengthened links between industry and research; - simplification of procedures for access to financing for SMEs and rules for public procurement; - and greater protection of intellectual property through rapid adoption of a Community patent. In the context of a ministerial seminar in Parliament on Thursday evening, followed by the meeting of research ministers on Friday, the Community policy for innovation will focus on scientific research. Member states will adopt conclusions on this theme at the Competitiveness Council in December. (E.H./transl.jl)