On Thursday 29 May 2008, the Ministers for Competitiveness competent for industrial policy and the internal market are to convene in Brussels.

In the part chaired by Economy Minister Andrej Vizjak, the EU Ministers are expected to adopt integrated conclusions on innovations, industrial policy and competitiveness. The first set of conclusions – on the European Commission communications on the lead market initiative, removing obstacles for cross-border investments by venture capital funds, standardisation and pre-commercial public procurement – are a response to the conclusions of the Competitiveness Council of December 2006.  The second set of conclusions – on industry – reflect the Commission communications on the metals industries, forest-based industries and defence industry.

In the second session chaired by the Slovenian Public Administration Minister Gregor Virant, the EU Ministers will discuss the preparation of better regulation in the light of the Second Strategic Review of Better Regulation in the European Union presented by the European Commission in January 2008. At the working dinner, the EU Ministers will also be host to Edmund Stoiber, Chair of the High-Level Group advising the European Commission on the reduction of administrative burdens.

On the second day, 30 May 2008, EU Science and Research Ministers will convene at a meeting chaired by the Slovenian Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Mojca Kucler Dolinar. The Ministers will discuss the management of intellectual property and knowledge transfer, which are core elements of the Lisbon strategy.

• Presidency Briefing
• Audiovisual note
• Public debate

Video:

• Press Conference: Competitiveness Council meeting on industry and better regulations items (Thursday, May 29th at 14:30)
• Press Conference: Competitiveness Council meeting on patents (Thursday, May 29th at 18:10)
• Press Conference: Competitiveness Council meeting - Research (Friday, May 30th 2008 at 13:30)