Competitiveness Council: Pre-Council Statement The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Joseph Johnson) The Competitiveness Council will take place on 30 November and 1 December in Brussels. Day one—Internal Market and Industry The Council will aim to agree a general approach on the single digital gateway. The objective of the Single Digital Gateway proposal is to remove barriers to the single market created by lack of easy access to high quality information and Government services online. The Commission will then present a competitiveness check-up including details of the objectives of the EU industrial strategy. This will lead into a discussion on the EU industrial strategy, where the Estonian presidency will present a report. The Council will be invited to adopt conclusions on the Commission’s communication on ‘A Renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy’. The Council will then discuss a number of AOB points on geo-blocking, the European defence industrial development programme, the digital single market, the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court, the European SME action programme, the public procurement package and the traceability system of tobacco products. In these AOB points the Council will be given information by the presidency or by a member state delegation. The day will end with a presentation by the Bulgarian delegation on details of their upcoming presidency. Day two—Space and Research The Council will adopt Council conclusions on the mid-term evaluation of the Copernicus programme. This will be followed by an exchange of views on the way forward for EU space programmes. The afternoon session will begin with a discussion on Council conclusions “From the Interim Evaluation of Horizon 2020 towards the ninth Framework Programme”. The Council will then debate the mission-orientated approach proposed for the ninth framework programme. Under AOB, the Commission will provide information on the state of play with open science. Day two will conclude with information from the Bulgarian delegation on their incoming presidency work programme. [HCWS284]