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30 November 2017

A renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy: Council adopts conclusions


The European Council adopted conclusions on a European Industrial Policy Strategy.

  1. WELCOMES the Commission's communication "Investing in a smart, innovative and sustainable Industry - A renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy" [4] presented on 13 September 2017 together with a list of key actions for a smart, innovative and sustainable industry [5];
  2. CONSIDERS that the communication is an important signal and a useful first step towards developing a future-oriented EU industrial strategy, providing a comprehensive inventory of those initiatives already undertaken or currently being prepared by the Commission;
  3. ACKNOWLEDGES that many of the initiatives listed, if designed and implemented properly and in a timely manner by all actors involved, should have a positive effect on deepening the Single Market and on enhancing the competitiveness of European industry;
  4. STRESSES the importance of well-functioning value chains, both at European and global level; RECOGNISES the need for concrete action at EU, national and regional level to enable European industry, and in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, to tackle present and future challenges and to maximise the benefits of digitalisation, investments in research and development, uptake of innovation and transformation to safe and sustainable technologies and for ensuring that industry is equipped with the right set of skills; CONSIDERS that, when necessary, sectorial initiatives should be taken for sectors facing economic change and sectors with high growth potential; INVITES the Commission to assess how the programmes and instruments within the next multiannual financial framework can support the implementation of the aforementioned aspects; UNDERLINES the importance of a clear and predictable regulatory environment, which is conducive to investment and innovation;
  5. In this context, REITERATES the Council’s call on the Commission to build upon the communication in order to:
    a) further develop a comprehensive EU industrial strategy with a focus on 2030 and beyond, including medium to long-term strategic objectives and indicators for industry and to be accompanied by an action plan with concrete measures,
    b) provide an assessment of the impact of mainstreaming industrial policy into the EU strategic initiatives taken since the beginning of 2015 and, on the basis of this, propose how mainstreaming industrial competitiveness can be made more effective;
  6. Given the significance of industrial policy and its cross-cutting nature, STRESSES the importance of ensuring an open, transparent and inclusive process in the development of the future EU industrial policy; in this regard, EMPHASISES the need for a multi-level governance approach based on partnership and dialogue with Member States, regions and stakeholders, including with a view to the proposed setting up of a High Level Industrial Roundtable;
  7. UNDERLINES the strategic role of the Competitiveness Council in mainstreaming industrial competitiveness, providing political guidance and momentum to this process, and therefore STRESSES Member States' commitment to be actively involved in the development of a substantial long-term strategy and to match the EU strategy with Member States' reform efforts;
  8. INVITES the Commission to consider a concrete mechanism to effectively monitor the implementation of the strategy, and in this context CALLS ON the Commission to present at regular intervals progress reports to the Competitiveness Council with a view to the spring meetings of the European Council, starting in 2018, and adapt the strategy, if necessary, to respond to evolving conditions faced by industry. [...]

Full conclusions



© European Council


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