EU summits to have more focus on competitiveness
EU summits to have more focus on competitiveness
Ministers will assess national performance in relation to EU policies and strategies.
National ministers in the areas of business, research and education are meeting in Brussels today (26 September) to prepare a priority list to give upcoming summits of European Union leaders a greater focus on economic competitiveness.
The ministers are aiming for a consensus on these issues before the February 2014 European Council, which will be dedicated to the issue of competitiveness and growth.
The meeting will be chaired by Evaldas Gustas, Lithuanian minister of economy, and Dainius Pavalkis, Lithuanian minister of education and science.
Performance assessment
The ministers will not adopt decisions but will assess national performance in relation to EU policies and strategies. First under the spotlight will be the Small Business Act of 2008, exploring implementation to date, and its alignment with the new framework created in response to the economic crisis, such as the European Semester. They will also examine restrictions on online operations of small businesses, in light of the telecommunications package that was proposed earlier this month.
Later, ministers will discuss the competitiveness challenges that industry faces because of EU policies on energy, climate, research and trade. Yesterday (25 September) the European Commission unveiled a communication on the state of competitiveness of industry in Europe.
On Friday ministers will look at how the Innovation Union strategy of 2012 is evolving, and will receive a progress report on the European Research Area. The outcome of this debate will feed into draft conclusions for the European Council summit on 24 and 25 October.
The presidency will brief member states on the five public-private partnerships envisaged under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research funding programme, in bio-based industries, aeronautics, electronics, fuel cells and hydrogen, and innovative medicines.
EU leaders are expected to focus on the issue of competitiveness, along with improving the digital economy, at their summit in October.
Yesterday (25 September) the Commission unveiled an ‘opening up education’ action plan to increase the use of digital tools in schools. Initiatives linked to the action plan will be funded with support from the Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 programmes. Between 50% and 80% of students in EU countries have never used a digital textbook.
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