The EU ministers responsible for competitiveness will meet in Brussels on 27–28 February 2020. The topics on the agenda are the European Green Deal, single market and its development, better regulation, and research and innovation policy. The Finnish representative at the meeting is Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.
The European Green Deal is the new growth strategy of the EU that aims to turn Europe into the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050. The ministers will discuss the linkages between the Green Deal and industrial policy.
“Finland supports the objectives of the Green Deal. Fast actions are needed in the operating practices of European companies and in reducing emissions, but there are also significant opportunities to develop new solutions and business operations. In mitigating emissions, it is important to make use of digitalisation and circular economy solutions,” Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä says.
Research and innovation policy
The Competitiveness Council will discuss the functioning of the EU’s single market, based on a study of the European Commission. The performance report presents and assesses the impacts of the single market on enterprises, consumers and citizens. Conclusions on better regulation are to be adopted at the Council.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Finland is happy with the key focus given to better regulation in the new Commission’s work programme. Among the main topics in this are the assessment of impacts and legislation, effective regulation and SMEs. The ministers will also discuss international cooperation under the Horizon Europe framework programme.
“International cooperation is important to further strengthen our knowledge and competence, utilise the opportunities offered by the scientific community and secure access to the global market. Finland supports the principle that the Horizon Europe framework programme would continue to be open to scientists and research groups from all over the world,” Minister Lintilä says.
The Council will also seek a partial general approach on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology EIT. During the Council Minister Lintilä will have bilateral meetings with the Commissioner responsible for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel and Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton.
