Competitiveness Council (COMPET) - Montesquieu Instituut

Wednesday 10 October 2012 - Competitiveness Council - research and innovation issues

In the morning, Ministers responsible for research and innovation are expected to agree, in public deliberation, on the main elements of two proposals for regulations which will be part of "Horizon 2020", the future framework programme for funding research and innovation for the years 2014 to 2020:

regarding the activities carried out by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), which was set up in March 2008 with the aim of reinforcing the innovation capacity of the EU and its member states for the coming years. The EIT will contribute to the general objective of "Horizon 2020", mainly by integrating the "knowledge triangle" of higher education, research and innovation, in order to respond to major societal challenges;

laying down the terms and conditions for the participation in research projects funded under Horizon 2020. This common set of rules will also govern the exploitation, dissemination, access and protection of results of the research projects. Participants may be research associations, universities, undertakings, industry consortia, etc.

The afternoon will be devoted to the discussion of the strategic steps to be followed towards the completion of the European Research Area (ERA) by 2014, as called for by the European Council in February 2011, on the basis of recommendations addressed by the Commission last July.

ERA will be configured as a unified research area based on the principles of the EU's internal market and open to the world, in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technology can circulate freely. Within ERA, the EU and its member states will strengthen their scientific and technological capacities and hence their competitiveness. Its development is placed at the heart of the EU 2020 strategy for the creation of economic growth and jobs.

Thursday 11 October - Competitiveness Council - industry, internal market and consumer protection issues

Ministers will exchange views on the European industrial policy and its contribution to growth and economic recovery. They will also consider specific measures in support of the construction sector and of the cultural and creative sectors.

In this context, the Council will be invited to adopt conclusions on key enabling technologies, which are of particular importance for the innovativeness and competitiveness of industry and the whole economy, including in areas such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and advanced materials. The conclusions will also give the green light for launching a European innovation partnership for raw materials.

In the field of consumer protection, the Council is due to adopt a resolution on the European Consumer Agenda, which lays down a policy framework aimed at reinforcing consumer rights in the coming years.

In the afternoon, ministers will take stock of the state of play on the twelve priority measures included in the Single Market Act I and will hold a debate on the way forward. These measures are aimed at the completion of the single market by increasing confidence and stimulating growth and jobs creation. They will also take note of the state of preparation for the second wave of priority proposals to be presented by the Commission this autumn under the Single Market Act II.

The 20th anniversary of the creation of the Single Market will be celebrated during the "Single Market Week" with events taking place in many cities across the EU.

The presidency will hold a press briefing in the Council press room in Brussels on 8 October at 14.30. A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting.

A presidency briefing, agenda and background note will be published on the Council website closer to the date of the meeting.