Political implications & possible measures at EU level - Sofia – 17 May 2005 - Francesco MARCHI, Euratex

INDEX The Framework set by the High Level Group process The Actions at EU level : 34 actions for five pillars and more to come… PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

The Framework End 2004, Commission and Member States endorsed the Recommendations worked out by the High level Group Those recommendations lists the actions to be carried-out by : The Commission The member States The Stakeholders : Industry, Regions, Traders… PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

The five pillars Actions to be concentrated in five areas: Environment Intellectual Property Rights Education & Training Innovation and R&D Trade PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Environment Impact assessment study on the New Chemical policy - REACH Study launched early 2005 Final results at the latest May 2005 PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Intellectual property User friendly multi-lingual web-site on Intellectual Propert Rights Vade-Mecum on IPR Information & awarness seminars at National level On-going discussions Drafting multi-sectorial call for tender – By April 2005 PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Education & Training Establishment of EU/National Observatories Common structure of courses - Network of training Common Qualification standards Common project to be submitted January – Answer in May 2005 Creation of Media pool – Project to be submitted by October 2005 (Leonardo Programme) On-going preparation of Joint project lodge mid-March – Answer in May 2005 PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Education & Training - 2 Implementing reconversion & re-classification units Sectoral Dialogue Later in 2005 Lifelong training? Job management strategies? Enhances Social Dialogue (project submitted) PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Innovation & R&D Launched in December 2004, first results end 2005 Technology Platform to identify long term industry vision for Research &Development & Innovation Technical textiles Clothing Technology Breakthrough Launched in December 2004, first results end 2005 EC call for R&D projects for construction, medical & protective textiles, ~25Mio€ Leapfrog project PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Innovation & R&D - 2 Integration of SMEs in R&D programs Non-technological innovation Euratex postion paper on EU research programmes as input to FP7 Development of IT solutions for SMEs in Framework Programme 6-IST Programme On-going discussion linked with State-Aid Euratex proposal for project on Innovation financing (NetFinTex) PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Euratex Projects in R&D, Innovation, Education and IPR PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Regional level More flexible procedures for SMEs in Structural Funds Greater access to structural funds It is up to ACTE to work on those issues PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Competition,Retail & Access to finance Study on the EU retailing system & practices Access to finance Competition Marketing To be launched later in 2005 (Commission) On-going discussions Guide for SMEs finalised? Working Group to be created soon PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Work to be carried-out at national level Public Procurement Competition policy Access to Finance IPR R&D Education Criteria art 53 Dir 2004/81/EC Control, transparency, security Reverse auctions Assessment instruments access to credit for SMEs Directive on IPR Enforcement (2004) Improve co-ordination with EC Observatories, lifelong learning strategies, increase programmes for (re-)training, (re-)skilling PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Trade Market Access Task Force Guidelines textile specific safeguard-China International actions Launch end January, identification of strategy expected in May 2005? Still waiting the publication, end March? EU—China dialogue Coherence within Doha Development Agenda (WTO) PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

Trade - 2 Monitoring of trade Unsatisfactory results except China licensing Decision by the Council as soon as possible. Modification of the bilateral protocols by end 2005? GSP regulation under discussion including rules of origin Monitoring of trade Euromed common origin rules for easier, faster trading relationship Concentrate General System of Preferences (GSP) to smaller & Less Developed Countries (LDC) + adaptation rules of origin PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

In summary The Actions at EU level : 34 21: carried-out or in the process of completion with Euratex involvement; 5: Euratex could take some future initiatives; 8: Euratex cannot act as those depend on Commission; Member States or Regions. PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005