Press Release: Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry, Research and Space) Council, Brussels, 20-21 February 2014

Main results of the Council

Ministers held a debate on industrial competitiveness on the basis of the Commission communication “For a European Industrial Renaissance”, which proposes that industrial competitiveness concerns be systematically mainstreamed across relevant EU policy areas such as environmental, climate, energy, trade, competition and state aid and regional policies. The outcome of the debate will feed into discussions on industrial competitiveness to take place at the next EU summit on 20 and 21 March 2014.

Ministers also held debates on the Commission's Annual Growth Survey (AGS) for 2014 on policies under the remit of the Competitiveness Council. The AGS is the starting point for the European Semester, which involves simultaneous monitoring of the member states' fiscal, economic and employment policies during a six-month period every year.

Following the first report on the progress towards the implementation of the European Research Area (ERA), the Council adopted conclusions on key elements that will contribute to the completion of the ERA.

The Council exchanged views on how to better develop the relationship between the EU and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Finally, the Council took note of an agreement for the establishment of an European system for the protection of satellites and space infrastructures.

Without discussion, the Council adopted a directive aimed at improving the functioning of copyright collecting societies in the internal market and facilitating cross-border licensing of authors’ rights in online music.

It also adopted a regulation concerning the notification to the Commission of investment projects in energy infrastructure within the EU.

ESO: Background information: Better access to online music - Collective management of copyright http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-better-access-to-online-music-collective-management-of-copyright/

ESO: Background information: Council adopts regulation on notification of investment projects in energy infrastructure http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-adopts-regulation-on-notification-ofinvestment-projects-in-energy-infrastructure/

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/118: Competitiveness Council – 20-21 February 2014 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-118_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Conclusions on progress in the European Research Area http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-conclusions-on-progress-in-the-european-research-area/

European Commission: RAPID, SPEECH/14/158: Report on the European Semester for Economic Policy Coordination: Annual Growth Survey 2014 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-158_en.htm

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