The Covid-19 pandemic and now the Russian invasion of Ukraine have strengthened MEPs’ desire to accelerate the EU’s industrial autonomy. This was the main conclusion of a discussion between the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, on Tuesday 22 March.
The Commissioner expressed his concern about the EU’s exposure to cyber attacks from the outset of the conversation. “We have to recognise that, even if things have progressed in recent years, the EU is not sufficiently prepared today to ensure a coordinated, adequate and timely response to a large-scale cyber attack”, he said.
For him, the cyber attack on a communications satellite which left Ukraine virtually unable to communicate in the first few hours of the Russian invasion shows that this is not a “fictional” threat. He called for the establishment of a “European cyber shield”, consisting of “real European cyber border guards”.
Still in connection with Ukraine, Mr Breton recalled that he had, as part of the analysis of the EU’s strategic dependencies in connection with the industrial strategy, initiated a mapping of European dependencies by ecosystem.
On the topic of raw materials, he mentioned the risks of heavy reliance on titanium in aeronautics, palladium in the electronics sector, and noble gases in the health and semiconductor sectors.
The Commissioner also reviewed the European Commission’s actions in reducing the EU’s energy dependence on Russia.
“Today, gas accounts for 9.2% of our energy needs. The RePowerEU plan presented by the Commission aims to reduce this dependence by two thirds by the end of the year. I think that in parallel, we must prepare for a scenario that would allow us to do completely without Russian gas in Europe”, said Mr Breton.
MEPs unanimously recognised the need for greater European autonomy. Many, even those from the far right, regretted the lack of foresight of previous Commissions.
Interventions from MEPs focused mainly on the European Chips Act (see EUROPE 12886/1) and the new space constellation for secure connectivity (see EUROPE 12891/3), while the Commissioner also stressed the importance of the Data Act.
Some MEPs, such as Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany) and Niklas Nienass (Greens/EFA, Germany), questioned the proposals that were made before the Russian war on Ukraine, particularly the constellation for secure connectivity. Henrike Hahn (Greens/EFA, Germany) said she was concerned about the genuine security of the constellation. Christophe Grudler (Renew Europe, France) asked the Commissioner what kind of commercial service would be provided to citizens.
Regarding the semiconductor legislation, some, such as Martina Dlabajová (Renew Europe, Czech Republic), expressed concern about SMEs’ ability to participate in the European Chips Act, as the Commission’s proposal does not distinguish between companies. Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany, coordinator) asked the Commission to present an impact assessment on the European Chips Act. Several MEPs have expressed fears that this new legislation and the new State aid framework will only benefit a few Member States. The EU’s heavy reliance on Taiwan was repeatedly highlighted. Other MEPs were concerned about the trend of using the Horizon Europe research framework programme to fund these new projects.
In response, Mr Breton assured that the constellation was always up to date. There is no problem of technological obsolescence, he said, as the constellation relies on quantum technology for encryption. SMEs will be taken into account, with the Commissioner stressing the importance of the NewSpace programme (consisting of start-ups and SMEs) in particular.
On the space issue, the former French minister insisted on the need to develop the dual dimension of Europe’s other two flagship space programmes, namely Galileo (navigation) and Copernicus (earth observation).
On the European Chips Act, the Commissioner assured that the semiconductor initiative will benefit all Member States, as well as SMEs. He welcomed the recent decision by US semiconductor giant Intel to invest €80 billion in the EU. He hoped to see similar commitments from major South-East Asian manufacturers soon. Mr Breton acknowledged the EU’s heavy reliance on Taiwan, an island located in a part of the world with a “fragile” geopolitical situation.
The day before, MEPs on the ITRE Committee had all agreed on the importance of the Industrial Strategy for the European Union, during a discussion on the draft report by Tom Berendsen (EPP, Netherlands). He stressed the importance of developing an action plan and a clear timetable to support European ecosystems in the digital and green transitions, while also reducing their dependence. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)