The Report on the future of European competitiveness, prepared by former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, is a valuable contribution to the European Commission work programme for the next five years reflecting many of our longstanding demands, European socialist ministers for the internal market said today.
Ministers discussed the report’s focus on the key role of productivity in strengthening Europe’s position in the world through a robust economic and social model. It echoes the PES call for a radical scaling-up of joint EU investments to boost strategic sectors in a manner that preserves the integrity of the Single Market and supports SMEs and consumers.
While the report makes several recommendations regarding the skills shortage faced by the EU, ministers underlined the need to consider social investments more broadly. Education, healthcare and housing are essential to citizens and crucial to the long-term productivity of the European economy. The follow-up to the report must do more to address the specific challenges and opportunities facing the economies of Central and Eastern Europe.
Meeting Chair Ștefan Radu Oprea, Romanian Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, said:
“Our socialist and democratic vision for competitiveness prioritises the creation of quality jobs and the provision of robust public services and infrastructure. We stress the central role of collective bargaining to empower workers and promote up-skilling and re-skilling. We also advocate for a regulatory framework that is both predictable and agile, advancing our collective industrial goals while ensuring high levels of social and environmental protection.
“I commend Mario Draghi for his dedicated efforts in preparing this report. It comes at a crucial time for shaping the next phase of EU decision-making and for enhancing our competitiveness on the global stage.”
Ministers also discussed the state aid framework and how it can continue to support the EU policy objectives, as well as new approaches to help SMEs taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by the internal market, drawing on proposals from Enrico Letta‘s report.
The meeting was attended by:
- Ștefan Radu Oprea – Chair, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Romania
- Matevž Frangež – State Secretary for Internationalization, Entrepreneurship, Development Resources and Tourism, Slovenia
- Jordi Hereu i Boher – Minister for Industry and Tourism Spain
- Gabriele Bischoff – S&D Vice President, Sustainable Economy, Social Europe and Single Market
- Mohammed Chahim – S&D Vice President, Green Deal for Industry, Energy and Climate and Financing the Just Transition
- Yonnec Polet – PES Deputy Secretary General
