Council meeting centres on Single Market and competitiveness

European industry and science ministers will discuss the development of the EU Single Market and encourage industrial competitiveness when the Competitiveness Council meets next week in Brussels.

During discussions on the Single Market, EU member states will also focus on how to create a friendly regulatory environment, as part of the new Investment Plan for Europe. A discussion on the benefits of creating a digital single market for both services and industry will feed into the debates.

The meeting, which will take place over 2-3 March, will be steered by the annual growth survey 2015, and national politicians are expected to adopt conclusions on the benefits of the Single Market in delivering economic growth and jobs across a broad range of fields.

The second day of talks will see ministers focus on discussions regarding the European Investment Plan and the 2015 annual growth survey from a research and innovation perspective. The council will also debate how Europe can better support and accelerate the transition towards a data-driven economy through open, networked and data-intensive research, within the context of the digital agenda for Europe.