The Competitiveness Council on 10-11 December 2012 had an exchange of views about the modernization of State aid rules. Member State agreed that State aid policy is necessary to achieve economic growth and other aims set forth by the EU 2020 Strategy. Comments were made related to the ongoing revision of the rules on the research and development, regional and de minimis aid.

The Council adopted the Council Conclusions on „A Stronger European Industry for Growth and Economic Recovery” and held an exchange of view on the European Commission’s CARS 2020 Action Plan.

The Council adopted conclusions on the Single Market Act II, the second single market package, which was published by the Commission on 3 October 2012. The legislative proposal linked to the package cover four different areas of the Single Market (networks, mobility, digital economy and a social cohesion) and will be published by the Commission by spring 2013. By adopting these conclusions the Council reinforced its commitment to examine and work on these drafts in order to further deepen the integration of the single market.

The Council took note of the Progress Report prepared by the Cypriot Presidency about the modification of the directive on mutual recognition of professional qualification. The aim of these modifications is to modernise, simplify and accelerate the recognition procedure. While important progress has been made in many areas, the Council still need some time to agree on the final compromise.

Member States had reached a political agreement on the whole patent package on which was reinforced by the European Parliament’s positive vote the following day.
The Commission presented the Customs Action Plan for the years 2009-2012, tackling four main challenges, namely dangerous counterfeit goods, organized crime, globalization of counterfeiting and the sales of counterfeits over the Internet. Member States adopted a new Action Plan for 2013-2017 including the extension of cooperation to eastern and southern countries. The draft Customs 2020 Program was also adopted. This program provides financial support from the EU budget to the customs authorities of the Member States for the improvement of functioning of the customs union. Member States had an orientation debate on the draft Union Customs Code. Numerous Member States agreed that the debate and the discussions on the Regulation must be finished by the deadline set by the Cypriot Presidency to make it possible that the modern customs rules are adopted and published by 23 June 2013.

Ministers adopted a general approach on the three proposals for directive forming together the public procurement modernising package. This compromise will serve as a basis for the negotiations with the European Parliament. In December 2011 the European Commission adopted the public procurement reform (modernising) package that contains three proposals for directive: the classical directive on public procurement, the utilities directive – these two directives will repeal the present directives 2004/17 and 2004/18 – and the new directive on the award of concession contracts. The aim of the package is mainly to simplify the public procurement proceedings, to reduce administrative burdens, to facilitate the successful participation of SMEs in the tendering process, and to make the public expenditure more efficient. The proposals for directives on public procurement are included among the priorities of the Single Market Act. The Council started the negotiations in January 2012.

In the frame of the Space Section of the Council ministers discussed the possible short and long term avenues for EU relations with ESA with a view to continuing an efficient cooperation. European space programmes greatly contribute to the achievement of the Union’s objectives in many areas such as industry policy, research and development, environment and telecommunications. The implementing of the space programmes goes hand in hand with an increasingly close relationship with the Member States and the European Space Agency (ESA), the other two main actors of the European Space Policy.

The Competitiveness Council adopted conclusions on key elements that will contribute to the completion of the European Research Area, which is placed at the heart of EU's strategy for the creation of economic growth and jobs.

The Council had an orientation debate on the EU’s international cooperation strategy in research and innovation. The debate was based on the Commission’s Communication on enhancing and focusing EU International Cooperation in Research and Innovation adopted in September 2012.

The Council agreed on the main elements of two legislative proposals which will be part of "Horizon 2020", the future framework programme for funding research and innovation for the years 2014 to 2020. These two proposals relate to the specific programme for the implementation of Horizon 2020 and the content of the strategic innovation agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) for the coming years. Moreover, the Council took note of a report on the progress made regarding the Euratom proposal, which supplements Horizon 2020 in the field of nuclear research.