Council focuses on regaining European competitiveness

Members of the Competitiveness Council have concluded their first day of talks in Brussels. Chaired by Kostis Hatzidakis, Greek Minister for Development and Competitiveness, politicians debated how to improve the competitiveness of European industry.

Ministers held a debate on industrial competitiveness after considering the European Commission’s ‘For a European Industrial Renaissance’ Communication. The Communication proposes that industrial competitiveness concerns be systematically mainstreamed across all relevant EU policy areas, including the environment, climate action, energy, trade, state aid, and regional policy.

Hatzidakis stated that it is clear the EU underestimated the importance of European industry and was now paying the cost in growth and jobs. In a statement, the minister said: “Obviously, the Greek Presidency cannot work out miracles within six months. What we can do is lay the foundation for the new Commission that will be formed after the elections to bring forward concrete legislative proposals. These proposals must add value to European industry and solve problems such as that of high energy prices.”

The outcome of the ministerial discussion will feed into the debate on industrial competitiveness, which will be held at the next European Council summit on 20 and 21 March. In addition to this, European industry will also be the subject of both the formal and informal Competitiveness Council meetings, which are due to take place in Brussels and Athens in May.

The Greek Presidency is also planning a series of conferences on restoring the competitiveness of high-energy consuming European industries. These events are due to take place in Athens in late February and early March.