On the basis of comments received from the Member States on the summary strategic agenda for the period 2024-2029 (see EUROPE 13388/1), the entourage of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has drawn up a detailed draft agenda setting out the principles and measures that will guide the European Union’s action over the next 5 years.
According to a first draft dated 12 June, of which Agence Europe has received a copy, the three main themes - a strong and secure Europe; a prosperous and competitive Europe; and a free and democratic Europe - already identified remain, although the component relating to democratic values and principles is now placed first.
Mr Michel’s entourage recalls that the rule of law is “the basis” of cooperation within the EU.
“We will strengthen our democratic resilience, including by deepening citizen engagement, protecting a free media, tackling foreign interference, and countering attempts at destabilisation, including through disinformation”, the authors add.
At international level, the EU will continue to promote a multilateral legal order based on the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
The emphasis then shifts to the security of the EU, which will have to assert its place as a global strategic player. The EU27 will continue to “stand by Ukraine” to help it defend itself against Russian military aggression. This involves increased investment to stimulate the growth of the European defence market, including greater involvement of the EIB.
The EU will also need to be better prepared for crises of all kinds, whether natural or caused by foreign interference. “We will fight attempts to sow division, radicalisation, terrorism and violent extremism within the Union”, promise the authors of the strategic agenda.
Furthermore, the enlargement of the EU to include the countries of the Western Balkans and Ukraine represents “a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity” of the continent. Recalling that the EU accession process is based on the candidate countries’ own merits, the authors stress that the EU will help these countries to meet the set criteria “through established and new instruments” and by making use of the possibilities for “gradual integration”.
At the same time, the EU will undertake the necessary internal reforms to ensure that European policies are fit for purpose, sustainably financed and that the EU institutions can function effectively.
Considered as another security issue, the management of the migratory phenomenon, in particular the protection of the EU’s external borders, is presented as the counterpart of a Schengen area authorising the free movement of people. With third countries of origin and/or transit of migrants, Europeans will work on the issue of the return of people who are not entitled to protection, on the root causes of departures to Europe, and will also explore opportunities for legal migration.
The third theme of the future strategic agenda is competitiveness. On this point, the authors are in line with the path mapped out by the European Council in its April conclusions (see EUROPE 13394/1): industry in Europe must at all costs make up its innovation and competitiveness deficit, particularly in strategic areas (artificial intelligence, space, quantum technologies, 5G/6G, health, biotechnologies, ‘net zero emission’ technologies, etc.) and decarbonise in line with the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
This means trusting entrepreneurs, making it easier for them to invest and removing the obstacles, particularly administrative ones, that limit the deployment of businesses within the internal market, “the long-term engine of prosperity and convergence”. Particular attention will be paid to services, including the data economy.
In terms of funding, “a significant collective investment effort is required, mobilising both public and private funding, including through the EIB”, reads the draft text. Once again, the emphasis is on finalising the Capital Markets Union (CMU) and the Banking Union, and on a “balanced” policy on State aid.
At international level, the opening up of trade must remain a guiding principle for the EU over the next 5 years, insist the authors of the document. Trade policy must therefore be “ambitious”, in contrast to the few trade agreements signed during the parliamentary term just ended. Over the last few months, the European Council has repeatedly called for a paradigm shift in the method of ratifying agreements, in order to overcome the blockages.
This openness must, however, be accompanied by an effective strategy to defend against unfair trade practices by companies from third countries and to prevent strategic dependencies, according to the provisional version of the strategic agenda. Rather than dwelling at length on how to defend the EU’s interests in the face of sometimes aggressive competition, the authors focus on Europe’s capacity to innovate in cutting-edge technologies.
Not forgetting agriculture, a factor in the EU’s independence, which will have to remain both competitive and sustainable while not compromising the protection of natural areas.
The draft strategic agenda concludes with the social dimension of the internal market. Every citizen, thanks in particular to education/training and mobility, should be able to seize the opportunities offered by the climate and digital transitions. “Increasing participation in the labour market will be of key importance in the next few years”, say the authors of the draft strategic agenda.
According to one source, the fact that social dialogue is mentioned in the text is a positive element, which could be further enhanced by a reference to the importance of collective bargaining between the social partners.
The European Council will be called upon to adopt its strategic agenda for the period 2024-2029 at the summit on 27 and 28 June.
See the draft text: https://aeur.eu/f/cno (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion and Léa Marchal, with Solenn Paulic)