Competitiveness Council, 02-03/03/2015, 2-3 March 2015

Main results

The Competitiveness Council took place against the background of the broad priorities of the Latvian presidency to achieve a competitive and digital Europe. It included debates on those areas where the EU's single market and a dynamic innovation policy can increase Europe's capacity to deliver economic growth and jobs.    

• The Latvian Presidency website

A digital Europe in a prosperous single market

The Council adopted conclusions setting out various actions aimed at removing unnecessary barriers in the single market and enabling a smooth and quick transition to the digital age. 

There is no time to waste if Europe wants to be leading the digital revolution and enhance competitiveness. Mrs Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Latvian Minister for Economics.

The chair of the meeting Mrs  Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Latvian Minister for Economics, underlined that "there is no time to waste if Europe wants to be leading the digital revolution and enhance competitiveness. This requires a number of key actions such as removing artificial hurdles that prevent our companies and citizens from benefitting fully and on an equal basis from the single market. It is also crucial to create the basis for a solid framework for investment. Both conditions match the spirit and main focus of the Latvian presidency to achieve a digital competitive Europe". 

Ministers discussed the digital transformation of the industry, wider use of digital tools and encouragement of digital entrepreneurship. The outcome of the discussion will provide with a valuable contribution to the upcoming digital single market strategy.      

Facilitate investments

Following a debate, ministers outlined the main elements to create simpler, better and more predictable rules to facilitate investments. The purpose is to implement the proposed new investment plan for Europe, which is expected to mobilise at least €315 billion of additional investment over the next three years.

Agenda of the meeting

• Indicative programme, Competitiveness Council, 2-3 March 2015
• Provisional agenda, Competitiveness Council, 2-3 March 2015
• List of A items, legislative deliberations, Competitiveness Council, 2-3 March 2015
• List of A items, non-legislative activities, Competitiveness Council, 2-3 March 2015
• Background brief

A data-driven economy

Ministers exchanged views on 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.

After the meeting, the Latvian Minister for Education and Science Mrs Mārīte Seile  made the following comments: "I strongly believe that putting information and communication technologies at the service of society and businesses can only be achieved through faster and wider innovation. The capacity for innovation very much depends on quality and quantity of investments and knowledge transfer between the public and private sector. In this respect, the Council has addressed two areas where open, networked and data intensive research can boost innovation: the pan-European e-infrastructures and policies and framework conditions for better use of big data and cloud computing".

• Outcome of the Competitiveness Council meeting, 2-3 March 2015