CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Intellectual property represents vast values and is vital for economic growth, entrepreneurship and employment. It is important that protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) works in practice, but also that the rules are designed in a balanced manner. IPR, just as any other legislative measure, stands to gain from broad acceptance in society.

During the Swedish Presidency, Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson has chaired the Competitiveness Council. Here she talks about the greatest challenges the Council has had to tackle and the successes she sees as most important for the continued development of the EU in this area.

From Monday 28 December it will be easier for service companies to conduct their activities across borders in Europe. The entry into force of the Services Directive in all EU Member States means that trade barriers are removed and companies’ contacts with authorities are simplified.

A minister is rarely photographed alone. State secretaries, security guards, reporters, photographers and officials are constantly hovering around ministers and therefore have to become accustomed to seeing themselves on the TV and in newspapers from time to time. One of the people who has popped up quite frequently in news coverage this autumn is Johanna Martin, Press Secretary to Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson.