The European Council’s vision and the one of the European Commission’s on the EU’s long-term competitiveness seems to converge. According to a draft of the conclusions for the European Council of 23-24 March obtained by EUROPE, the heads of state or government are expected to take up many of the elements of the Commission’s Communication published on 16 March (see EUROPE 13143/3).
The conclusions adopted at the end of the European Council debate are expected to focus on: - the regulatory environment; - investment; - research and innovation; - digitalisation; - skills; - circularity. This is largely in line with the nine points listed by the Commission to boost competitiveness in the long term.
At the forefront is the regulatory environment, which must be “growth-enhancing” according to the European Council’s draft conclusions of 20 March. EU leaders are expected to call for simplifying existing rules and reducing the administrative burden for businesses. Reporting obligations should also be “rationalised”. These elements are also in line with recent requests from business representatives (see EUROPE 13141/2, 13140/12).
The heads of state and government are expected to insist on the need to finalise the capital markets union: “The European Council calls on the European Parliament and the Council to finalise work on the legislative proposals in this area before the end of the current legislative cycle”, the draft conclusions state.
As for the two proposals for regulations presented by the Commission on 16 March for a Net Zero Industry Act (see EUROPE 13143/1) and for a Critical Raw Materials Act (see EUROPE 13143/2), the leaders will reportedly only “call for the [related] work to be taken forward”.
The more sensitive issue of State aid rules is addressed in just a few words, where leaders “take note of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State Aid” presented by the Commission (see EUROPE 13138/1).
At the ‘General Affairs’ Council on 21 March, which was aimed at preparing the European Council, the EU affairs ministers said that the proposal on raw materials and the reform of the electricity market would help equip the EU for the digital and ecological transition, according to Swedish Minister Jessika Roswall.
On these various issues, EU leaders should in any case meet at the June summit, where they are expected to address the issue of financing industrial policy, according to an EU source.
See the draft conclusions of the European Council: https://aeur.eu/f/5ww (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)