Development and Competitiveness Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, in his capacity as Chair of the Competitiveness Council of the EU, presented today (22.1.2014) in Brussels, the priorities of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU to the competent ITRE, REGI and IMCO Committees of the European Parliament.

In his presentation to ITRE Committee, Minister Hatzidakis focused on maintaining and promoting the dialogue for a new Industrial Policy for the EU. It is indicative, in this respect, that in both the European Council of March 2014 and the informal Ministerial Competitiveness Council to be held in Athens on 12-13 May 2014, Industrial Policy will be in the spotlight. The Presidency intends to table the following priorities:

- Reduce bureaucracy and improve the business environment;

- Mitigate the negative impact of the high cost of energy which, owing –among other factors- to the lack of a unified energy market, affects the competitiveness of European Industry;

- Improve access to finance and addressing the consequent lack of liquidity, especially for SME’s;

- Stimulate investment in innovation in conjunction with the digital agenda;

- Develop skills needed in emerging industrial sectors and markets.

In the field of Regional Development (REGI), the Minister emphasized the proposed Directive for the reform of the European Solidarity Fund, set up to respond to major natural disasters and express European solidarity to disaster-stricken regions of Europe. The scope of the reform is to make the Fund more responsive, so that the aid is given out faster. For the first time, provision is made for advance payments.

The priorities presented by Minister Hatzidakis to IMCO include a series of important legislative initiatives on the Single European Market and consumer protection.

- Regarding E-Invoicing in Public Procurement, the Minister noted that it is a Directive intended to make invoicing faster and cheaper and facilitate the harmonization of e-invoicing systems of member states, make market entry easier for SMEs and is expected to improve the single market.

- Minister Hatzidakis also examined the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package, consisting of the Regulation on Consumer Product Safety (CPSR) and the Market Surveillance Regulation. The period between January and March 2014 will be decisive for the completion of negotiations between the European Council and the European Parliament for the adoption of all pending legislative initiatives.