It is time for a review by the Commissioner for Internal Market and Industry, Elżbieta Bieńkowska. At a meeting with a small group of journalists on Wednesday 11 September, the Commissioner wasn’t shy about her political action over the past 5 years, highlighting the “historic” progress she has made in the space sector and, in particular, in the defence sector.
The Commissioner is particularly proud of her action in favour of the defence industry, mentioning the European Defence Industrial Development Programme and, above all, the development of the European Defence Fund (see EUROPE 12040/8). “We started from scratch”, she said. “And I saw how the EU can move forward if everybody agrees”, she said, expressing surprise at the unanimity of the Member States, including the United Kingdom, which has traditionally opposed any European initiative in the field.
Admittedly, the Commissioner acknowledged that the sums committed for the next 7 years (around €13 billion in current prices) still represent little compared to the value generated by the European defence sector. “It’s maybe not enough, but this is the first step and really a breakthrough step in EU integration”, she stressed, adding that “it has not been done for 60 years in European integration history”.
The greatest challenge has been to recruit the necessary candidates to consolidate the current defence units for a future Directorate General, according to her, given that the current team comprises only about 50 individuals. The Commission is “understaffed”, the Commissioner admitted.
“The sky knows no limits”
On the space front, the Commissioner lauded bringing the Copernicus and Galileo programmes under the same regulation and the budget dedicated to space policy in the next multiannual financial framework: around 16 billion euros (see EUROPE 12035/3). A budget that wasn’t straightforward, confirmed the Commissioner, replying to EUROPE, and which, she said, had sparked “discussions”, particularly with the DG Budget.
Ms Bieńkowska stressed the need to create a European ‘New Space’, a private sector like the American one. According to the Commissioner, this is currently the fastest growing sector in the European economy. As for the questions raised by certain partnerships between American companies and European industry, the Commissioner replied that it is necessary to find a “fair balance” between strategic autonomy and interaction with allies. “We don’t build walls between us and the rest of the world”.
She also discussed the issue of governance between the European Commission and the European Space Agency. “It’s a complex subject”, she said, before recalling that the changing situation since the Lisbon Treaty had to be taken into account. “The Commission now has competences for Space”. And to further emphasize the point: “We cannot live without the European Space Agency and the European Space Agency cannot live without us. Because we are the biggest client”. For the Commissioner, changes will have to be made in governance, particularly in the light of recent incidents affecting Galileo (see EUROPE 12302/10).
Competition rules are not a “bible”
Thus, the Commissioner had nothing but good things to say about the missions attributed to Sylvie Goulard, who will succeed her in this position and who will have a much broader portfolio than hers, but one that is in line with her political action. She confirmed that the European Commission was ready. “During the last 2 years, we have been preparing the separation of DG GROW (the Directorate-General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs) to create a DG for the Defence Industry and Space”, she told EUROPE.
She also welcomed the integration of DG Connect, dedicated to digital issues, into Ms Goulard's portfolio. “There is no distinction between an ‘old school’ single market and a digital single market”, she argued.
Looking to the future and addressing the forthcoming industrial strategy, which should be presented within the next 6 weeks, the Commissioner focused on the issue of competition rules. “Is there a need for discussions on competition policy? Of course! At least discussions must take place. [This policy] should not be treated as a bible, as a document that cannot be changed”.
This last remark should please Germany and France, after the institution's rejection of the proposed acquisition of Alstom by Siemens (see EUROPE 12188/1). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)