The French Minister for the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, met his Italian counterpart, Adolfo Urso, in Rome on Friday 3 March. Together they presented their common vision for a new European industrial policy. In a four-page document, they highlight the need to financially support European companies in the green and digital transitions.
Unlike the 10 Member States that co-signed a letter on the same subject on 2 March (see EUROPE 13133/1), France and Italy are in favour of adjusting the rules on State aid. They welcome the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework proposed by the European Commission (see EUROPE 13112/3), while noting the importance of being “mindful” of the need to “preserve the integrity of the internal market and a level playing field”.
They also welcome the proposals for a future sovereignty fund and those on the mobilisation of existing European funds, such as the Recovery Plan.
They also refer to the rules on public procurement, which they believe should be adapted: “Made in Europe can start with Government”, they say. They then clarify: “We are in favour of better promoting qualitative criteria and extending the mechanism preventing bid proposals from third countries that do not reciprocate the EU’s openness”. This is despite the entry into force last year of the International Public Procurement Instrument, which is intended to do just that, but which only applies above a certain procurement value.
Moreover, the two ministers agree with the other Member States on the need to have a European regulatory framework adapted to industry - and therefore simplified - and the need to reform the electricity market and to work on critical raw materials.
See the joint statement: https://aeur.eu/f/5mv (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)