ANNEX 1: PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS ON INDUSTRY
POLICY: COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL 28 NOVEMBER 2005
INDUSTRY POLICY
The Council held an exchange of views on EU industry
policy on the basis of a presidency non-paper (14334/05) and the
Commission communication "Implementing Community Lisbon Programme:
A policy framework to strengthen EU manufacturing - towards a
more integrated approach for industrial policy" (13143/05).
The Presidency drew the following conclusions:
"1. Ministers welcomed the Commission
Communication on a new framework for industrial policy and agreed
to work closely with the Commission to take forward this important
part of the relaunched Lisbon Strategy for growth and employment.
2. Ministers strongly supported the Commissions
approach to industrial policy. There was support for both the
horizontal and the sectoral initiatives. In-depth analysis of
the situation in the new Member States was of particular importance.
3. Ministers stressed that legislative and
regulatory burdens should not have an adverse effect on competitiveness.
It was important to avoid putting burdens on industry that our
competitors outside the EU do not face. Ministers strongly welcomed
the Commission's intention to establish a High Level Group to
develop a coherent approach to environment, competitiveness and
energy and the suggestion that this group should consider the
review of the emissions trading scheme.
4. There was agreement on the importance
of the manufacturing industry as a generator of new and innovative
products. EU industry is competitive, especially in high value-added
sectors, but it is important to increase Research and Development
and Innovation to ensure that EU industry remains competitive.
The need to create a level playing field in terms of international
competition was also underlined.
5. Manufacturing and services are strongly
and increasingly interlinked in the modern business environment.
Ministers supported the need to take account of the specific context
of individual sectors and the particular opportunities and challenges
they face.
6. Ministers agreed that we cannot avoid
structural change, but protectionism is not the answer. It would
be important to ensure that policies supported and embraced change,
but also supported the workers affected by it.
7. Ministers acknowledged the importance
of political commitment at the national level in support of the
integrated approach to industry policy to deliver results. They
emphasized the role of increased professional/vocational training
in order to facilitate structural change and improve key qualifications
at all levels.
8. With regard to further steps, the Permanent
Representatives' Committee is called upon to monitor progress
on the work programme referred to in the communication and report
to the Council accordingly."
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