Competitiveness Council, 28-29/05/2015, 28-29 May 2015

Main results

Digital single market: the digital transformation of European industry

The Council discussed the new digital single market strategy and adopted conclusions on the digital transformation of European industry. A number of important aspects were highlighted, including the importance of targeting areas where action is needed for the digital transformation of industry and of encouraging the development of digital entrepreneurship, especially start-ups. 

• Council conclusions on the digital transformation of European industry

A high-performance digital single market can contribute more than €400 billion every year to the European economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Minister for Economics of Latvia

Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Minister for Economics of Latvia, stated that "a high-performance digital single market can contribute more than €400 billion every year to the European economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs".

Travel packages

The Council reached a political agreement on revised rules on package travel designed to adapt the travel market to the digital age and better address the needs of consumers and businesses. This piece of legislation will strengthen the rights of travellers when booking online and offer benefits for businesses, in particular small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

• Travel packages: Council confirms political agreement

Single-member private limited liability company  

Ministers reached agreement on a general approach for establishing a new form of single-member private limited liability company.

Chairing the Council meeting, Dana Reizniece-Ozola said that "this dossier is a concrete example of the advantages which digitalization can bring to the single market. It offers benefits for those wanting to start their own companies, for employees, for SMEs looking to expand, and to public administrations which will become more digital. It will encourage growth and help create jobs."

• Single-member private limited liability companies: Council agrees on general approach

European Research Area - Data-intensive and networked research - Open science  

The Council adopted conclusions on the ERA roadmap for 2015-2020 and on the ERA advisory structure. It also adopted conclusions on open, data-intensive and networked research.

Ministers exchanged views on the development of a European agenda for open science.  

After the meeting, Mārīte Seile, Minister for Education and Science of Latvia, said that "the foundation of a modern and innovative economic system in Europe requires the development of the European Research Area and the European Digital Agenda. Innovation must foster prosperity and be at the service of EU citizens".

• Council conclusions on the European Research Area Roadmap 2015-2020
• Council conclusions on the review of the European Research Area advisory structure
• Council conclusions on open, data-intensive and networked research as a driver for faster and wider innovation

• Outcome of the Council meeting