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Council of the European Union     28/9/2018  Supercomputers: Council agrees to develop high-tech infrastructure The Council today adopted a regulation aimed at giving a boost to high-performance computing by setting up a new European joint undertaking. This undertaking will oversee the pooling of resources within Europe to develop supercomputers for processing big data, which is an essential tool to help tackle the challenges of today's world. "High-performance computing is key to research as well as to the digitisation of industry and the data economy. It has many practical applications which can help a wide range of industrial and business sectors, as well as users from academia, scientific communities and the public sector. Europe's scientific capabilities, industrial competitiveness and autonomy depend on having access to world-class supercomputers and data infrastructure. High Performance Computing plays a vital role in helping us address issues such as climate change forecasting, advanced medicine modelling and artificial intelligence. But we have to coordinate our approach and pool our resources in Europe to be a relevant global player. Today's decision will enable the Union to develop, deploy, extend and maintain an integrated world-class supercomputing and data infrastructure." Heinz Faßmann, Austrian Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research Council of the European Union   27/9/2018  Main results - Competitiveness Council, 27-28/09/2018 The Competitiveness Council held a policy debate on possible EU actions to promote artificial intelligence as part of a future EU industrial policy. It also exchanged views on the means to achieve greater economic convergence amongst regions. Research and innovation, 28 September   In the morning, ministers held a policy debate on the structure of the next EU framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe,as well as on the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe.The new programme will cover the years 2021 to 2027. Research and innovation are vital if we are to remain competitive at the global level. The next EU framework research programme has an important role to play in supporting national efforts to promote excellence and close the innovation gap within the EU. Heinz Faβmann, Austrian Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research In the afternoon, ministers debated the legal status and the key elements of the strategic planning process for the Horizon Europe programme. The debate will provide political guidance to ongoing work in the Council's preparatory body. Horizon Europe (European Commission) Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers: start of negotiations on Horizon Europe (Austrian presidency) Highlights of the Competitiveness Council (Internal Market and Industry) of 27 September 2018, in Brussels. Internal market and industry, 27 September  The Council held a public policy debate on strengthening the innovation capacity of EU industry,with emphasis on capturing the potential of digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence. Capturing the full potential of digitization is crucial for the competitiveness of the EU economy. Our discussions today are a first step towards an EU action plan on artificial intelligence, which will help boost growth and jobs. Margaret Schramboeck, Austrian Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs Under the traditional "competitiveness check-up", the Council assessed the importance of regional convergence as a factor contributing to the overall increase of productivity growth and competitiveness. Competitiveness check-up (background information) Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers: artificial intelligence on the agenda (Austrian presidency) Meeting information Meeting n°3638   Brussels   27-28/09/2018 Preparatory documents Indicative programme, Competitiveness Council, 27-28 September 2018 Provisional agenda, Competitiveness Council, 27-28 September 2018 Correction to the provisional agenda, Competitiveness Council, 27-28 September 2018 List of A items, legislative activities, Competitiveness Council, 27-28 September 2018 List of A items, non-legislative activities, Competitiveness Council, 27-28 September 2018 Addendum to the list of A items, non-legislative activities, Competitiveness Council, 27-28 September 2018 Background brief Outcome documents Outcome of the Council meeting List of participants 27.9.2018 List of participants 28.9.2018 Video footage  Press releases Supercomputers: Council agrees to develop high-tech infrastructure 28/09/2018, 10:20 European Solidarity Corps : Council adopts Regulation 27/09/2018, 14:10 Single Digital Gateway Regulation adopted by Council: better online access to information and procedures across the EU 27/09/2018, 14:05