Competitiveness Council to discuss various aspects of sustainable growth
The EU Competitiveness Council will meet in Brussels on 27 and 28 May. Jari Partanen, State Secretary, will represent Finland at the meeting. Topics to be discussed include the single market, industrial policy, space and research.
Ministers of the EU Member States responsible for the single market and industry will meet on Monday 27 May. The Council will adopt conclusions on the single market, industrial policy and tourism, and discuss the interlinkages between competitiveness and competition policy in the single market.
With regard to the conclusions on the single market, Finland considers the overall development of the single market to be important, and emphasises the need to more closely integrate policies on the single market, industry, the digital economy and research and innovation.
The conclusions on industrial policy advocate an overarching long-term EU industrial policy strategy. A well-functioning single market is the foundation for a European industrial policy. It is Finland’s position that future industrial policy should focus on themes that are vital for EU’s global competitiveness, such as digital transformation, innovation, low-carbon economy, bioeconomy and circular economy, and the opportunities these provide.
The objective of the conclusions on tourism is to underline the significance of tourism as a driver of growth, employment and social cohesion in the European Union. The conclusions on tourism support Finland’s own tourism policies and the implementation of Finland’s roadmap for growth and renewal, which is due to be updated shortly.
Over lunch, the Ministers will discuss public procurement as part of the single market.
Ministers responsible for space and research will meet on Tuesday 28 May. The Ministers will have a policy debate on the EU’s role in global space policy, and the Council will also adopt conclusions in the field of space. It is Finland’s view that a consistent common European space policy and cooperation between the various parties concerned strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and Europe’s international impact in the changing global landscape.
The Ministers will also discuss the role of research and innovation in bolstering EU competitiveness. From Finland’s perspective, this is an important discussion. Finland further emphasises that long-term investments for research and innovation and support for the innovation environment are instrumental to promoting Europe’s competitiveness.
Finland will present the preliminary objectives for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union over the two days of the Competitiveness Council. Finland will assume its third Presidency on 1 July.
Inquiries:
Nina Alatalo, Special Adviser (EU and International Affairs), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 431 8015
Anniina Lehtonen, Communications Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 476 3736