Main results of the Competitiveness Council of 25 September
© Conseil de l'Union européenne
- from: 25.09.2008
- to: 26.09.2008
- In: Brussels
The ministers discussed a Commission action plan on sustainable industrial policy which will allow the EU to manage the changes linked to a transition to a low-carbon economy. By means of labels and etiquettes, the implementation of this action plan would allow customers to be better informed on the real environmental performance of products and the energy savings they could make by buying these products.
The ministers identified the measures of the 'Small Business Act for Europe' which could be implemented in the context of the current economic slowdown to promote economic recovery, notably with regard to the growth and development of SMEs in Europe. The competitiveness ministers are due to adopt all the measures of the SBA in December.
To reinforce and better coordinate measures to combat counterfeiting, the ministers adopted a resolution on a European plan to combat counterfeiting and piracy. The resolution notably provides for the creation of a European monitoring centre for counterfeiting.
In order to give a new impetus to the European Research Area (ERA), the Council adopted conclusions on the European Partnership for Researchers. The objective is engagement from the Member States and Commission to boosting researchers' careers and mobility and also to define a European researcher status. The Portuguese and Luxembourg ministers have been given a mission on these issues from the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Commission presented the draft regulation on the legal framework of a European Research Infrastructure which aims to facilitate the establishment of new major research infrastructure in Europe by means of a single Community legal framework.
With regard to joint programming - just 15% of research spending is coordinated at European level - the new instrument proposed by the Commission will encourage the coordination of the Member States' research facilities and programmes.
The Council adopted conclusions to formalise a joint commitment of the Member States to combat neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
The Commission also presented a European strategy for marine and maritime research.
This Council was also an opportunity for ministers to express their opinions on the code of conduct for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research adopted by the Commission in the form of a recommendation last February.
Space Council - Brussels 26 September 2008
- Updated: 30.09.2008
