Summary of the Informal Competitiveness Council– Industry on 14 & 15 July in Louvain-la-Neuve
Meeting as the Informal Council on 14 and 15 July in Louvain-la-Neuve, European Industry Ministers discussed the EU’s future industrial policy and an innovation policy directed at SMEs, under the chairmanship of Jean-Claude Marcourt.
The Industry Ministers’ meeting was opened by a speech from Michel Wurth, European CEO of ArcelorMittal. This covered the globalisation of the economy and its impact on value chains and the competitiveness of the European Union.
The first session dealing with industrial policy began with a speech from Jean-Claude Marcourt, President-in-Office of the Competitiveness Council – industry division. He emphasised that industry is, and will remain, the basis of our economy, and that a modernised approach to industrial policy combining standard and targeted policies is required. The Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, then presented a broad outline of the Union’s future industrial policy. A study on the policy of sustainable industrial competitiveness, commissioned by the Belgian Presidency, was also presented to delegates so as to assist the Council in its work.
In the course of the discussions that followed, the Ministers came out in favour of an ambitious, modernised industrial policy, capable of meeting the challenges linked to globalisation and the switch to a greener economy. Ministers also called for more coordination between the various community policies, specifically clearer guidelines in terms of the initiative ‘A Union for Innovation’.
The second session dealing with innovation took place on the morning of 15 July. The Belgian Presidency took the innovative step of offering Ministers a videoconference with Philippe Aghion, a Harvard professor located in the United States. During the morning, the Commissioner in charge of Innovation and Science, Ms. Maire Geoghegan-Quinn presented a broad outline of the Union’s future Research and Innovation Plan. Finally, Henry Malosse of the European Economic and Social Council presented delegations with suggestions from social partners to encourage innovation.
Armed with this food for thought, the European Ministers came out in favour of a community innovation policy focussing more on SMEs, capable of overcoming the specific obstacles they encounter in terms of innovation and eco-innovation. In addition, Ministers also perceive the adoption of a broad vision for innovation, not just in terms of R&D investment, as a necessity.
A summary of these discussions, the speeches made and documents given to delegations are available below:
