The Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU wants to continue to deepen the single market and therefore wants a long-term strategy to ensure its proper functioning.
Thus, in its programme, the Presidency is formulating a transversal approach that addresses the challenges of digitisation, industry, services, as well as commercial and social issues. On this last point, the Presidency wishes to focus on the “economics of well-being”, a concept dear to its heart that aims to put the citizen at the centre of all economic policies (see EUROPE 12283/2). For the Presidency, it will be necessary to rely on the European pillar of social rights.
With regard to industry, the Presidency remains vague to say the least, devoting only a concise sentence to it, despite repeated requests from the Member States (see EUROPE 12220/3). “We will promote an active industrial policy for the EU and will draw up a plan for the sustainable development of the European economy as part of the overall change process”, it says.
On the other hand, it is more focused on the issue of services, which it considers to be the cornerstone of the single market in the context of the digital economy. As such, it will focus on removing barriers to cross-border trade in services. It is difficult to say whether it intends to unearth the E-card services project, which is currently pending in the EU Council (see EUROPE 12261/4).
Informal meeting in sight
The Presidency will open its first informal meeting in Helsinki, from 4 to 5 July, on the subject of competitiveness and industry. On the second day, ministers will be invited to discuss the issue of integrating the single market into a digital and industrial policy.
In the late morning, several parallel discussion groups will be held on: - the future of European industries; - the issue of services in the single market; - how the Union and Member States can strengthen the digital economy; - the external dimension of the European economy to ensure fair competition.
In the afternoon, discussions will focus on possible solutions to achieve carbon neutrality, which is also a particularly topical issue in the European Council (see EUROPE 12285/12) and at the international level (see EUROPE 12286/6). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)