Since taking office, my colleagues Minister Sherlock, Minister Perry and I, along with senior officials from my Department, have availed of every opportunity to engage with the EU institutions on policies of mutual concern regarding jobs, growth and investment.
Bilateral meetings have been held at both official and Ministerial level with Commission and high ranking EU Officials, EU partners and like-minded Groups. We have discussed with like-minded partners the prioritisation of EU initiatives under the Single Market Act, which, in particular, add value to the jobs, growth and investment agenda.
We are continuing to work to analyse our strategic interests and funding possibilities under the EU's new Research Programme (Horizon 2020 —€80bn) and the proposed Programme for Competitiveness and SMEs (COSME —€2.5bn). These Programmes are part of the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework Budget 2014-2020. In that regard every opportunity will be taken to further Ireland's interests to ensure that we can secure the maximum benefit from the funding available under these Programmes, particularly in relation to maximising the scope for participation by SMEs.
During my attendance at the informal Competitiveness Council in February last, I met with the Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, where we discussed the Digital Single Market and in particular maximising the enterprise potential from e-commerce and the strategic digital services sectors. On 19 April, I met with Vice-President and Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, where we discussed several key strategic initiatives of national importance for our competitiveness and jobs initiatives including the COSME Programme, access to finance for SMEs, internationalisation of SMEs, reduction in administrative burdens for business, and the pursuance of a free, fair and open trade agenda to further Ireland's export-led recovery.
We will continue to work with our EU partners, the EU Commission and the EP to progress these policy instruments and associated measures through the various Council Working Groups and Committees including through the EU Competitiveness Council.
I will also continue to fully engage in the development of the EU's common commercial policies, which I believe provide a strong stimulus for growth and job creation. This year may see the successful conclusion of the Free Trade Agreements with important markets for Ireland including India, Singapore and Canada. This year should also see the mapping out of future trade and investment relations with the US in the context of the EU-US High Level Group and Jobs which is due to report before the end of 2012.
