EU Competitiveness Council

Norman Lamb Excerpts

Monday 20th February 2012 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Norman Lamb)]

The EU Competitiveness Council will take place in Brussels on 20 and 21 February 2012. I shall represent the UK on internal market and industry issues on 20 February, and Andy Lebrecht, Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, will represent the UK on research issues on 21 February.

The internal market and industry substantive agenda items on 20 February will be: a policy debate on the Europe 2020 strategy; an orientation debate on the public procurement package; an orientation debate on the accounting directive; an orientation debate on European venture capital funds; an orientation debate on European social entrepreneurship funds; and adoption of Council conclusions on smart regulation.

One AOB point will be discussed regarding the patent package.

The research substantive agenda items on 21 February will be: an exchange of views on the European earth monitoring programme (GMES) and its operations from 2014 onwards; a progress report on the Europe 2020 strategy (research side) and a policy debate on the annual growth survey; a presentation by the Commission on “the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): the contribution of the EIT to a more innovative Europe”; a policy debate on “the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 294/2008 establishing the European Institute of Innovation and Technology”; an orientation debate on “the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon 2020—The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)”; an orientation debate on “the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules for participation and dissemination in Horizon 2020—The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)”; an orientation debate on “the Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon 2020—The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)”; and an orientation debate on “the Proposal for a Council Regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2014-2018) complementing the Horizon 2020—The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation”.

The research, space and AOB Items will comprise of: information from the Commission regarding “Innovating for Sustainable Growth: a Bioeconomy for Europe”; information from the commission regarding “ERA Framework: Areas of untapped potential for the development of the European Research Area (ERA)—results of the public consultation”; information from the Commission regarding “ITER—State of Play”; and information from the presidency regarding the results of the informal session of the Competitiveness Council in Copenhagen, 1-2 February 2012.

The Government’s objectives for the Council are;

To contribute to discussions on Europe 2020 (industry and internal market), the public procurement package, the accounting directive, venture capital and social entrepreneurship funds;

Confirm agreement with Council conclusions on smart regulation;

Exchange views on GMES; and

Contribute to discussions on the Europe 2020 (research) and Horizon 2020 discussions.