Long-term competitiveness strategy

Background

The communication on the long-term view on competitiveness outlines how the EU can build on its strengths and achieve more than merely bridging the growth and innovation gap. A forward-looking, well-defined and coordinated EU framework will foster thriving businesses, able to compete on the global market, with attractive jobs and setting global standards.

The communication on the Single Market at 30 focuses on the reduction of barriers and integration, especially for services, which are essential for the Single Market to remain the key driver of EU's competitiveness. In the current geopolitical context, the EU is at a make-or-break moment to succeed in the twin green and digital transition and remain an attractive place for businesses.

Key points

The EESC:

• believes that the EU must adopt a competitiveness agenda which, in line with the principles of the single market and the social market economy, is forward-looking, well-defined and coordinated, and promotes the prosperity of businesses, quality jobs, raising living standards for EU citizens, and inclusiveness, while improving the ability of the EU system to innovate, invest and trade and compete in the global marketplace for the common good and drive our transition to climate neutrality;
• believes that to revitalise the EU's competitiveness it is necessary to activate an integrated European industrial strategy, which, by promoting an integrated European industrial system, has as its key players: the company and its workers;
• calls for the proper provision of physical and social infrastructure, which is of strategic value to ensuring the competitiveness of the EU ecosystem. This strategic action requires: i) a cohesion policy that drives economic convergence and resilience; ii) investments in quality public services and in future-proofed transport, energy and data networks; and iii) investments in education and lifelong learning for a skilled workforce prepared for the challenges of tomorrow, and in a quality health system, long-term care and social care, and in affordable housing;
• urges the Member States in particular to firmly commit to properly implementing and enforcing EU legislation on the single market. All of this has to be accompanied by proper control and protection tools regarding the quality of work, a level playing field for all companies, citizens' rights and consumer protection;
• maintains that the EU's open strategic autonomy must be developed as a key feature of the European project, the uniqueness and strengths of which build on the combination of economic and social integration.

Additional information

Section: Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT)

Opinion number: INT/1028

Opinion type: Optional

Referral: COM(2023) 162 final COM(2023) 168 final

Rapporteur: Emilie Prouzet (Group I - France)

Co-rapporteur: Stefano Palmieri (Group II - Italy)

Date of adoption by section: 29 January 2024

Result of the vote: 73 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 24-25 April 2024

Result of the vote: 234 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions

Contact

Marco Pezzani

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9793 | Mob: +32 470 881 903

E-mail: marco.pezzani@eesc.europa.eu

Silvia Staffa

Administrator

Tel.: +32 546 8378

E-mail: silvia.staffa@eesc.europa.eu