EU Competitiveness Council to meet in Brussels to discuss the future of internal market and competitiveness of European industry
The EU ministers responsible for competitiveness will meet in Brussels on 23–24 May 2024. Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman will be Finland’s representative at the meetings of the ministers responsible for space, research and innovation on 23 May. Meanwhile, Minister of Employment Arto Satonen will represent Finland at the internal market and industry meetings on 24 May.
The internal market and industry meeting aims to adopt conclusions on 1) the future of the single market, taking into account the recent report by former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and 2) a competitive European industrial policy. Finland considers it important that both conclusions be adopted by the Council. The Council will discuss the future of the internal market on the basis of the conclusions. For Finland, a competitive and well-functioning internal market is key for improving the EU’s strategic competitiveness. Finland heads a group of like-minded countries that work together to exert influence on the Commission to promote internal market activities.
In space matters, the ministers will discuss the EU space law, focusing on the safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities. The aim is also to adopt conclusions on strengthening Europe’s competitiveness through space. The European Space Agency and the Competitiveness Council will hold a joint Space Council meeting at the same time to consider ways to improve the competitiveness of the space sector.
The ministers responsible for research and innovation will reach political agreement on updating the regulation on the European High Performance Computing (EuroHPC) Joint Undertaking as well as adopt conclusions on valorisation of research and the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 framework programme. They will also adopt the Council’s recommendation on enhancing research security. Finally, the ministers will discuss research and innovation for advanced materials.
Inquiries:
Jukka Sarhimaa, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, +358 295 047 330
Teemu Hartikainen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs, tel. +358 50 563 0200
Isabella Paju, Senior Specialist, +358 295 047 437
Taru Löyttymäki, Senior Specialist, Competitiveness Council Coordinator, tel. +358 295 047 177