EBC Combined Council, EOB and Committee Chairmen Meeting

Wednesday, December 15,  2004; Europa House, 6th Floor

In Attendance:

R. Collasse (Chairman)
A. Murray (EBC Secretariat)
C. Sedgman (EBC Secretariat)
G. Schlosser (EOB, Germany)
M. Hoffmann (Executive Director, Germany)
S. Lorenz (Task Force Member, Germany)
C. Ochsner (President, Switzerland)
R. Kracklauer (Committee Chair, Auto Components)
H. Wittich (Committee Chair, Environmental Technologies)
A. Pockett (President, UK)
P. Gibb (EOB, UK)
P. Stalman (EOB, Netherlands)
M. Hancock (Committee Chairman, Legal Services)
D. Delgorge (EOB, Belgium)
H. Porat (EOB, Sweden)
H. Mueller (President, Austria)
H. de Mestier (President, France)
L. Drevet (Executive Director, France)
M. Makinen (President, Finland)
E. Ullner (EOB, Finland)
C. Halling (President, Sweden)
C. Goulios (Greece)

Guests:
M. Reiterer (Minister, EC Delegation)
W. Pape (General Manager, EU Japan Center for Industrial Cooperation)


1. Comments from the EC Delegation

1) Comments from Minister Michael Reiterer - Follow-up on regulatory reform dialogue progressing at working level. Japan-side now preparing to submit their proposals to EU in March. Delegation expecting visits from new members of the Commission in the New Year. Mandelson (Trade) will be visiting in May, perhaps earlier. Reiterer noted the value that Lamy placed on briefings from the EBC in the past, and suggested this be continued in the future as well.

2) Presentation from Wolfgang Pape, General Manager of the EU Japan Center for Industrial Cooperation - Provided separately.

2. Update from the EBC Chairman

1) Japan Investment Council Meeting (November 14) - Richard Collasse gave a presentation to the JIC on November 14th, his first as a regular member of the Council. The Cabinet Office is redacting EBC input and will ask relevant authorities to respond to a list of priority EBC requests verbally and in writing at the next JIC meeting in February 2005.

2) Comite Colbert - The EBC is continuing its cooperation with Comite Colbert, at present regarding tariffs and quotas on imported leather shoes. Negotiations are ongoing concerning the possibility of Comite Colbert joining the EBC as a supporting organization in the same way as EFPIA.

3) Goals for 2005 - Richard Collasse noted that goals for 2005 include: ensuring the speedy and effective implementation of the new EBC constitution; cooperating more with the ACCJ through press conferences and annual government doorknocks; proactive participation in the annual EJBDRT; proactive participation in the JIC; reviewing the legal status of the EBC.

3. Report from the Executive Director

1) Secretariat Update and distribution of Report - Year-end report provided separately. Recent meetings with Okayama Pref., Osaka Pref., and Asia Demographics, and the Slovenian Embassy. The Slovenian Embassy and a representative of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (no office in Japan) are interested in the work of the EBC, but are unsure whether or not they would be able to find 80,000 yen to pay the prescribed EBC membership fee after one year as an observer, followed by 300,000 yen that would be requested a few years later. They will respond early next year after internal discussions.

4. 2005 Budget

1) Voting on budget presented at last meeting - Passed unanimously.

5. Constitution

1) Distribution of revised constitution - Provided separately. Effective date (front page), figures for Appendix 3 will be updated and re-circulated by e-mail now that budget approval has been obtained.

2) Comments from Secretariat on logistics re Committee Chairmen - The Secretariat will send out a solicitation for nominations for the three board of governors positions set aside for committee chairmen before the end of the year. Elections, if required, will be held by vote via e-mail in late January. Once the three positions have been filled, the Council will be asked to select the 1st and 2nd vice-chairmen, one from amongst the Chamber EOB members, and one from amongst the three committee board representatives. A treasurer will also be chosen at this time.

6. Stakeholder funding taskforce

1) Powerpoint presentation by Richard Collasse - Provided separately. This proposal will be distributed in electronic format to all chamber stakeholders. The Chambers are kindly asked to debate this proposal within their Chamber Boards for further discussion at future taskforce and Council meetings. It is hoped that the formula can be ratified by mid-2005.

7. Other business

1) Other business - None.

2) Reminder about December 15th Cocktail Party