Press Release: Key Issues Paper 2009. Competitiveness Council meeting (Internal Market, Industry and Research), Brussels, 5 March 2009

Confronted with an international financial crisis and an exceptionally strong economic downturn, the European Union and Member States are showing their determination to act in a concerted, ambitious and comprehensive manner in order to restore confidence and the growth path, as demonstrated by the European Economic Recovery Plan agreed by the European Council in December 2008.