Concurrentieraad wil interne markt promoten om economie en groei te herstellen (en)
EU Ministers meeting at the Competitiveness Council (Industry) in Brussels, on Monday, December 10, 2012, are expected to endorse the agreement reached by Coreper I on the Unitary Patent Protection Package and to adopt Conclusions on the second wave of priority proposals under the Single Market Act II. They are also expected to adopt Conclusions on an update to the European Industrial Policy and on the progress for the evolution of the customs union.
The Council meeting will continue on Tuesday, December 11, with sessions on space policy and research and innovation. Monday’s session on Industry will be chaired by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus, Mr. Neoklis Sylikiotis, whereas Tuesday’s session will be chaired by the Minister of Interior of Cyprus, Mrs. Eleni Mavrou.
Unitary Patent Protection Package
The establishment of a unitary patent system has been the subject of discussions for more than 30 years and on Monday the EU’s Competitiveness Ministers will be invited to endorse the agreement reached by Coreper I, on November 19, on the Unitary Patent Protection Package. The expected political endorsement will be part of discussions to be held for pending legislation of the Single Market Act I package, together with the review of the Professional Qualifications Directive, the Public Procurement reform package, the Accounting Directive and the Alternative Dispute Resolution system.
Moreover, the Council is expected to adopt Conclusions on the second wave of priority proposals under the Single Market Act II, presented by the European Commission on October 3.
Updating the European Industrial Policy
Ministers at the session on Industry will work towards an agreement on Conclusions on an update to the European Industrial Policy and its contribution to growth and economic recovery, based on the relevant Communication by the Commission and the ensuing discussions at the Council meeting of October 11. They will also examine the specific situation of Europe’s automotive industry, in the light of the “CARS 2020” action plan drawn up by the Commission.
Additionally, they will hold a debate on the modernisation of state aid rules and their impact on EU competitiveness, following a presentation by the Commission on the reform of state aid policy by 2013.
New Customs Policy
The Competiveness Council will work towards reaching a general approach on a proposal for recasting the Union Customs Code, aiming at facilitating commercial exchanges, whilst ensuring safe and secure trade of goods in the EU. Furthermore, the Ministers will be invited to agree on a partial general approach for establishing the “Customs 2020” action programme for the period 2014-2020, as the successor of the “Customs 2013” programme which ends on December 31, 2013.
Finally, the Council is expected to adopt Conclusions on the progress of the strategy for the evolution of the customs union, as well as a resolution to mark the launch of a new EU customs action plan to combat intellectual property right infringements, for the years 2013-2017.