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At the informal meeting of the Ministers of Competitiveness (Science and Industry), to be held between 7 and 9 February in San Sebastian, the issues on the table will include placing science at the top of the EU agenda and showcasing its role in economic recovery, as well taking the debate on the electric vehicle to EU level.

On Monday 8, the Minister for Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia, will chair the meeting of ministers responsible for research, who will discuss the challenges still pending for the launch of the European Research Area and the role that science can play in achieving economic recovery and growth.

The meeting will also endeavour to raise the profile of the commitment of European science as well as to make it more effective, through the "Donostia Declaration", a document that will launch the concept of a responsive and responsible science, capable of providing solutions in the short-term.

A common European strategy for electric vehicles

On Tuesday 9 February, the informal meeting on competitiveness will be devoted to industry. According to the Secretary of State for Industry, Teresa Santero, the meeting will be chaired by the Spanish minister, Miguel Sebastián, and will focus for the first time on a single issue: the electric vehicle.

“In San Sebastian the debate on the electric vehicle will be escalated to European level in order to promote a joint strategy among Member States and get them involved in this”, said Teresa Santero.

Therefore, on Tuesday 9 February there will be three information sessions and ministerial debates. During the first two, which will be held in the morning, the ministers of industry will hear experts from the energy and automobile sectors (Siemens, Renault or Iberdrola) and representatives from the institutions. According to Santero these include the Chairman of the Industry Committee of the Spanish Congress, Antonio Cuevas, and the Mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu.

In the afternoon session, the Spanish Minister of Industry, Miguel Sebastián, will present a preliminary document on the electric vehicle. “It is not a binding document”, the Secretary General for Industry pointed out, saying that he hoped that during the Spanish Presidency of the EU, the European Commission will agree to continue working towards a common electric vehicle strategy.

The day will end with the presentation of fifteen electric vehicle prototypes.