The French Presidency of the Council of the EU is expecting pre-notifications and notifications for four new important project of common European interest (IPCEI) in the field of health, cloud, microelectronics and hydrogen in the next six months, a source in Bercy told us on Wednesday 12 January. Some notifications are expected in the first quarter, according to the same source.
IPCEIs are an important issue for France (which will invest a total of €8 billion - see EUROPE 12851/27), which advocates an EU empowerment strategy, particularly following the multiple shortages caused during the pandemic (see EUROPE 12860/2).
The Presidency’s objective is to move as quickly as possible with regard to the pre-notification of IPCEIs to the European Commission, which must analyse the various projects before endorsing them. The notification of IPCEIs is much faster, as the projects have already been analysed and preliminarily validated by the European Commission.
Initially promoted by France and Germany, the IPCEIs are becoming increasingly complex, with more and more Member States participating, 17 for the one under preparation in the field of hydrogen, and 20 for semiconductors.
European Chips Act, a triple objective
During a press briefing on Tuesday 11 January, responding to EUROPE, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton gave some further details of the forthcoming EU legislation on semiconductors, known as the ‘European Chips Act’ (see EUROPE 12796/10).
This will be structured around three axes: - one devoted to the development and synergy in the field of research and development around three major research platforms; - a second component to assist in the creation of ‘gigafactories’, very large production companies; - a third axis on securing supply chains with third countries.
The ‘European Chips Act’ is reportedly expected in late January or early February.
Strategic Autonomy Conference
On Thursday 13 January in the afternoon, a conference organised by the French Presidency will be devoted to strategic autonomy, with the French Minister for the Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, the Minister Delegate for Industry, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the Vice-President of the Commission, Maroš Šefcovic, and Mr Breton. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)