The ministers responsible for the Internal Market and Industry of the EU Member States confirmed, during a debate by videoconference behind closed doors in the framework of the ‘Competitiveness’ Council of the EU on Friday 18 September, their commitment to deepening the Single Market, but also to strengthening the strategic autonomy of the European Union, thus confirming the European Commission's vision.
The question of strategic autonomy would have been on many lips, particularly those of Poland, France, Spain and Portugal, in order to better defend European industry and secure key supplies, while preserving the fluidity of trade with third countries.
However, some ministers are said to have asked for a better definition of what the concept of strategic autonomy contained and that it should be linked in all cases with the concept of “competitiveness “. Northern European countries do not look favourably on the relocation plans that have been gaining ground since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Replying to questions put by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU (see EUROPE 12562/5), all of them confirmed the validity of the ‘March 2020 package’, in particular the action plan for better implementation and enforcement of Single Market rules and the Single Market Enforcement Task Force (SMET) set up in the wake of the pandemic (see EUROPE 12464/16), which will hold its third meeting on Monday 21 September.
Ministers generally agreed with the conclusions to deepen the Single Market and to remove obstacles which hinder or even prevent the free movement of goods and services. Around ten Member States (including Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic) have presented a paper to reduce barriers in the field of services. In this context, several ministers expressed high expectations of theDigital Service Act.
A large number of ministers stressed the importance of not over-regulating and of taking better into account SMEs. Others, like the Portuguese Minister, stressed the need to extend the Temporary Framework for State Aid set up in the context of Covid-19. In addition, some delegations from Central and Eastern Europe reiterated their regret at the agreement reached on the mobility package.
Luxembourg stressed the importance of strengthening and defending the role of the ‘Competitiveness’ EU Council format on Internal Market issues. The EU Council conclusions will be formally adopted at the ‘Agriculture’ Council of the EU on Monday 21 September.
The second item on industrial resilience (see EUROPE 12553/10) was postponed to the ‘Competitiveness’ EU Council of 20 November. The German Federal Minister of Economics and Energy, Peter Altmaier, stated at the press conference that the issue of SMEs will be dealt with “at a later stage”.
As a reminder, the European Council on 24 and 25 September will be devoted in part to the Internal Market and industry issues. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)