Press release
24 May 2010
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU
Ewa Björling to attend Competitiveness Council in Brussels
On Tuesday 25 May, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will take part in the EU Competiveness Council in Brussels.
Time and place
Press conference
A press briefing will be held on 25 May at 15.00 in the Swedish briefing room in the Councils Justus Lipsius building.
For further information, please contact Monica Ohlsson or Elisabet Dahlén Jonsson; see contact information provided here.
Several items concerning the EU internal market are on the agenda.
"An effectively functioning internal market is of major importance to our businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. Thanks to the internal market, Swedish businesses have access to over 500 million consumers and 20 million businesses in 30 countries," says Dr Björling.
One important matter to be discussed is a proposal concerning regulations on uniform CE-marking of construction products. CE-marking is intended to make construction products comparable and increase trade within Europe.
"Swedish construction products are characterised by their high quality. If implemented, the proposal will make trade in construction products substantially easier and strengthen the competitiveness of companies that buy and sell Swedish construction products. The proposal, however, lacks sufficient provisions concerning the reporting of hazardous chemical substances contained in construction products. This is important for all consumers and to ensure that construction waste is managed in an environmentally and economically sound way. We will continue to work to strengthen this in upcoming negotiations."
The ministers will also address the implementation of the Services Directive. Sweden implemented the Directive in December last year.
"The effective implementation of the Services Directive in all the Member States will substantially ease conditions for the increasingly important trade in services within the EU and EEA areas. This is particularly important for small business operators wanting to sell and buy services across national borders.
"Unfortunately the EU patent - one of the most important measures to promote innovation in Europe - is not on the agenda. The Commission had hoped to gain informal support for a proposal during the Spanish Presidency. Since it has proven impossible to agree on the language issue, the Commission has chosen not to present a proposal. It is of utmost importance that we reach a final agreement on an EU patent as soon as possible."
In connection with the Council, Dr Björling will meet with the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Michel Barnier, and the Commissioner for Trade, Karel de Gucht.
Contact
Monica OhlssonPress Secretary on parental leave
+46 8 405 10 00
Lisa Dahlén Jonsson
Press and Communications Officer
+32 (0)2 289 56 65
+32 (0)476 50 50 22
email to Lisa Dahlén Jonsson
