Commission adopts report on implementation of Council's resolutions and conclusions on industrial policy On a proposal from Mr. Bangemann, the Commissioner responsible for industrial policy, the Commission has adopted a report on the implementation of the Council's resolutions and conclusions on industrial policy. The report follows on from the Council resolution of 8 November 1... On a proposal from Mr. Bangemann, the Commissioner responsible for industrial policy, the Commission has adopted a report on the implementation of the Council's resolutions and conclusions on industrial policy. The report follows on from the Council resolution of 8 November 1994 on the strengthening of the competitiveness of Community industry. It covers the period from 1990 to 1994, during which the Commission put into action the basic principles of an industrial policy for the Community, namely: - The need to ensure the complementarity of the various policies with an impact on industry: foreign trade, competition, internal market, environmental protection, research and development, networks, economic and social cohesion, and small business policy; - Better operation of the markets as a fundamental condition for greater industrial competitiveness; - Active promotion, instead of postponement, of industrial restructuring. This new approach made it possible to realize an area without internal frontiers on 1 January 1993 with a minimum of Community legislation, in particular since the mutual recognition of national standards led to the removal of many barriers to trade without the need for new rules. The Commission has also defined and started to implement a coherent approach towards the realization of the information society. The Commission's action plan focuses primarily on establishing a regulatory framework, on networks, basic services, applications and content, and on the socio-political and cultural aspects. The setting-up of the Information Society Project Office (ISPO) will also raise public awareness. The Commission has launched a new policy focusing on the achievement of global competitiveness. Two major aspects of this policy have already been developed: the Fourth Framework Programme of research and technological development (1994-1998) will strengthen the links between research and development and industrial competitiveness, while the launch of an industrial cooperation policy will stimulate cooperation between operators in the Community and strengthen Europe's presence on high-growth markets. It will facilitate direct investment and the exploitation of growing mutual interests between the EU and its partners.
