Second meeting of the High Level Group on the Competitiveness of the chemical industry in the European Union on the 18^th of Dec 2007

Mandate for the Ad Hoc Group Feedstock, Energy and Logistics

On December 18^th the High Level Group (HLG) met for the second time. Vice President Verheugen highlighted that on January 27^th 2008 the European Commission will present its proposals on implementing the Energy package. During the internal Commission discussion on the energy package it was possible for him to find support in the Commission for a special treatment of energy intensive industries.

In a short debate with High Level Group members the ECRN President Dr. Haseloff (see photo on the right) highlighted the potential impact of the energy package on energy intensive industries and particularly on the production of base chemicals in Europe. Dr Haseloff announced that the chemical regions are very interested in taking part in this debate. Furthermore he suggested putting special attention on the question of chemical logistics in Europe and especially towards the new Member States. The HLG member from Poland and the Czech Republic (see Deputy Minister Milan Hovorka (middle) and Petr Dolejsi (left) from the Czech Permanent Representation) underlined the specific problems of the chemical industry in these countries to cope with the ambitious energy targets of the EU and welcomed the initiative of the ECRN to deal with this matter. Finally the Mandate for the Ad hoc Group was agreed by the HLG.

The HLG also agreed the proposed work plan for the HLG 2008 which means that the 4th meeting of the HLG in October 2008 will mainly focus on the external aspects of the chemical industry. Furthermore a special Ad hoc Group on intellectual property rights will also be set up in the HLG process.

Discussion about the Ad Hoc Group Report on Innovation, Research and Human Resources

Chaired by the Commissioner responsible for research, Janzec Potocnic (left), the main part of the meeting focussed on the draft final report of the Ad hoc group and the draft recommendations. The Commissioner asked for specific recommendations to be made on the report and invited the HLG members for comments. Even though most HLG members welcomed the report it became clear that many general comments were made to include additional items such as consumer affairs, environmental questions and matters on research or training.

At the same time there was broad consensus to widen the scope of the European Technology Platform SusChem towards innovation and to implement some of the recommendation regarding the 7^th Framework Programme as soon as possible. The new Flemish minister for Business, Patricia Ceysens, (right) focussed in her statement on the key role of the exchange of good practices in the promotion of innovation. She made specific reference to cross-border co-operation projects in the field of education between Flanders and the Dutch provinces. ECRN President Haseloff highlighted the role of regions to foster the dialogue between stakeholders in order to provide trust for new innovation. Furthermore he announced that the ECRN is willing to add a regional dimension to the European Technology Platform approach.