Press Release
Jeannot Krecké's comments on the results of the "Competitiveness" Council

Date of release : 17-03-2005

Policy area : Competitiveness (Internal market, Industry and Research) Competitiveness (Internal market, Industry and Research)

On 17 March, the Minister for the Economy and Foreign Trade, Jeannot Krecké, had an exchange of views on the results of the Competitiveness Council with the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of the European Parliament. In his capacity as current President of the "Competitiveness" Council, Minister Jeannot Krecké expressed his satisfaction at the adoption on a second reading before the European Parliament of the proposal for a Directive on unfair commercial practices, which will greatly enhance consumer protection.

With regard to the contribution of the "Competitiveness" Council to the mid-term revision of the Lisbon Strategy, the Minister stressed the desire to make an ambitious contribution based on a balanced approach which will enjoy support from all the Member States and demonstrate the will to correct the focus and make the Strategy progress. The Council however considers that this reorientation should not be undertaken to the detriment of the social and environmental dimension. Moreover, sustainable development must remain the guiding principle of all policies.

The contribution by the "Competitiveness" Council places the emphasis on two major priority areas: on the one hand, the stimulation of knowledge and innovation and, on the other, the creation of framework conditions which foster a competitive economy.

The improvement of legislation is another major priority of the Council, and this issue will again feature on the agenda of the next ministerial meeting. In terms of impact analysis, the Presidency is continuing to work at inter-institutional level with a view to achieving agreement with the European Commission and the Parliament on a common approach to this subject.

Minister Krecké also raised the thorny question of the patentability of software. This proposal for a Directive has generated some strong reactions following adoption aa a point A at the Council. Personally sharing some of the anxieties expressed regarding this proposal, the current Council President stresses the importance, from an institutional point of view, of having formalized the political agreement of the Council. This will enable the institutions to embark on the next stage: the second reading. At a meeting held today with rapporteur Michel Rocard of the European Parliament, the Minister clarified the situation and promised to contribute towards collaborating in finding a solution with the Parliament. Thus, the new amended text would be able to go through a second reading at the start of July.

In terms of services, Jeannot Krecké notes a consensus view to the effect that the achievement of an internal market for services is of vital importance to our economies. In this context, he states that the proposal text for a "Services" Directive will not apply, and that a different text will be generated by the institutional route. It will be necessary to exclude the sectors of health, social security and services of general interest. On no account should this Directive lead to social dumping.