One of the main priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council is the strategic autonomy of the European Union in connection with its resilience and recovery.
“The resilience and recovery of the European Union and a strategically autonomous Union is a priority at the moment, regardless of who leads the Council of the European Union”, confirmed Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša in the European Parliament, on Tuesday 6 July.
The Prime Minister recalled the “vulnerability” and “dependence” with regard to third countries, especially in the field of health (including the establishment of the Health Emergency Response Authority - HERA), wanting to move beyond ad hoc solutions to “permanent structural measures”.
According to the Presidency’s work programme, these measures cover aspects of the European health response to the pandemic, but also include actions to support the internal market, economic operators and European industry.
In its work programme, the Slovenian Presidency will therefore focus on restoring certain industrial, tourism and cultural ecosystems and, in general, on strengthening the Union’s technological sovereignty.
In particular, the Presidency indicates that it wants to continue discussions on the updated industrial strategy (see EUROPE 12713/6). Here it confirms, in connection with the Horizon Europe framework programme, its desire to work on European partnerships (public-private and public-public) to promote the necessary transformations of the European industrial fabric.
Interestingly, it emphasises its willingness to intensify discussions on space traffic management, again with the aim of ensuring “the security and autonomy of the European space industry” (see EUROPE 12754/9).
Single market and technical harmonisation
In addition, the Slovenian Presidency says it will strive to deepen the single market, again in connection with the dual green and digital transition, with a focus on SMEs and start-ups.
Thus, it states in its programme that its Presidency will be marked by a strategic report on the implementation of the Internal Market Action Plan. Here, the question of the crisis response mechanism for the internal market will be an important issue for the Presidency (see EUROPE 12713/6).
On the technical harmonisation front, it will work on the revision of the Machinery Directive. The Presidency intends to work again to advance European action on shipper harmonisation.
Therefore, the subject of the internal market and industry takes a prominent place in the Slovenian half-year calendar. An informal meeting dedicated to the internal market and industry is scheduled for 20 July. A Competitiveness Council of the EU meeting dedicated to the Internal market and industry is scheduled for 29 September, and another for 25 November. On 26 November, a meeting specifically dedicated to space is also planned. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)