The EU policy for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as the impact of climate changes on the EU economy competitiveness – these were the major issues discussed at the informal EU Competitiveness Council meeting attended by Waldemar Pawlak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy. The meeting was held on 18 July 2008 in Jouy-en-Josas, France.
The meeting was attended by the ministers of economy of the EU Member States as well as by the representatives of the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The participants discussed issues such as the access of small and medium-sized enterprises to capital and public procurement in the EU, and the proposal to establish a European private company status.
The Polish Deputy Prime Minister expressed his support for the EU SMEs policies set forth in the European Commission Communication “Small Business Act for Europe”. “The communication contains proposal of a consistent strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises, which will be implemented at the Community and national level,'' said Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak.. He said that those issues would be discussed at the meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council during the French Presidency.
Waldemar Pawlak also emphasised the significant role of micro-enterprises in the European economy. He pointed out at the need for developing a unified, effective, inexpensive and accessible Community patent system. “This will allow for more effective operation of the European enterprises not only in the EU, but also in the world markets,” said the Prime Minister.
The participants of the informal Council meeting also referred to the impact of the climate changes on the EU MS economy competitiveness. Waldemar Pawlak stressed that the actions for environmental protection should be extended to third countries. “Global sector agreements may prove to be an important measure for reducing CO 2 emissions,” said the Prime Minister. He reminded that Poland would organize a meeting for the ministers of economy and the representatives of energy-intensive industries in November 2008 .