Vier opinies over de toekomst van het industriebeleid (en)

Four opinions relating to industrial policy were approved at the European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) plenary session. They all target separate objectives but have a common focus on the prosperity of European industry. The core interests defended by the EESC in each opinion included the creation and protection of jobs, increasing competitiveness and the preservation of Europe as a global economic leader, in the context of the Europe 2020 strategy.

The opinion by Mr Pezzini (Employers' Group, Italy) refers to the effects of the economic crisis. It considers its impact on the distribution of the labour force in the economy, with a special consideration for small and medium enterprises (SME’s). In the opinion, the EESC calls for the creation of a roadmap to plan the necessary conditions for the development of innovation and enterprise as a means to emerge from the crisis, and safeguard employment across the continent. Alongside this roadmap, there should be an emphasis on promoting access to jobs, especially to the unemployed and young people. In his opinion about the external dimension of industrial policy, Mr Pezzini puts the focus on a competitive trade policy for Europe, a clear priority in this economic climate. The Committee urgently stresses the need to define an integrated strategy for the external dimension of industrial policy, which should ensure a common approach in multilateral and bilateral trade agreements. It also outlines a list of interests that should be included in such agreements and discussions, in accordance with clear and transparent protection.

Rapporteur Mr van Iersel (Employers' Group, the Netherlands) scrutinises the European Commission’s communication on industrial policy. In welcoming the communication in the context of the Europe 2020 strategy as one of its "flagship initiatives", the holistic approach taken by the European Commission is endorsed. The EESC espouses the idea of deepened coordination between the EU and Member States to improve governance of future industrial policy. The opinion encourages the Commission and Council to seek progress on this matter, by drawing up a list of priorities and timeframes. The priorities identified include the need for smart regulation, access to finance, coordination of knowledge chains and resource efficiency.

The opinion prepared by Rapporteur Mr Rossitto (Various Interest Group, Italy) on third country state owned enterprises in EU public procurement market asks for ensuring more effective, strategic defence of the EU's interests in the area of access to public markets both internally and internationally. It also aims at increasing the EU's negotiating power to improve access to third countries' public markets. Among its several proposals, the opinion also calls for swift adoption of the Market Access Scheme for Procurement - MASP.

For further information, please contact:

Pol LIEMANS

Section for Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI)

Tel + 32-(0)2-546.82.15

E-mail: pol.liemans@eesc.europa.eu