Competitiveness Council - February 2013

Roundtable (Internal Market)

The Minsiters hold a debate on the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey for 2013. The Annual Growth Survey 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. The Commission’s survey outlines priority actions to be taken by member states in order to ensure better coordinated and more effective policies for fostering sustainable economic growth. Together with the Annual Growth Survey, the Commission issued the first report on the “State of the Single Market Integration”, aimed at monitoring the functioning of the single market within the European Semester process. This report shows an analysis of the state of single market integration in key areas with the greatest economic growth potential. Furthermore, the debate includes an assessment on the state of play of the Single Market Act packages, which are made up of priority measures aimed at the completion of the single market by increasing confidence and stimulating growth and jobs creation. The Council also addresses the situation of the steel industry in Europe. Moreover, ministers exchange views on a recent action plan drawn up by the Commission aimed at boosting the entrepreneurial spirit in Europe. Finally, the Ministers hold an exchange of views on the review of the “REACH system” for the registration and authorisation of chemical substances. The Commission presents a report on the review of the REACH system. The REACH regulation entered
into force in June 2007.
On the sidelines of the Council, the signing of the Unified Patent Court agreement takes place. The Unified Patent Court will be a court common to the contracting member states and thus part of their judicial system, with exclusive competence in respect of European patents with unitary effect and European patents granted under the provisions of the European Patent Convention.