He sees a “window of opportunity” for Europe to move forward, as he said speaking at the informal meeting of leaders in Alden Biesen, Belgium, with competitiveness as a central theme.
“Just as the pandemic has decisively affected our response in the health sector, so the war in Ukraine has shaped our response in the defense sector – now is the time to do the same for European competitiveness,” noted the president of the European Parliament.
In her speech, Ms. Metsola insisted on a number of issues. Starting with the Single Market he said that “fragmentation makes us vulnerable to pressure from both East and West. At the rate things are going, we need to act – now.” “If we can move forward together, let’s do it. If not, those who are able and willing should be able to proceed through enhanced cooperation. This is the down-to-earth pragmatism we need to move forward,” he added.
The Omnibus Package
Ms. Metsola underlined that the European Parliament is already working on all the proposals for the Omnibus package that have been submitted. “It is now up to the member states to show corresponding ambition. There are too many examples of national rules that limit development.”
As he said, “our goal is to enhance the flow of capital to high-growth sectors while maintaining fiscal stability. Europe does not lack savings. It lacks the proper mechanisms to turn them into productive investments.”
President Metsola emphasized the imperative need to invest in networks and capacity to “form a meaningful Energy Union – able to ensure reliable supply for our industry and affordable prices for our citizens. As we enter the Electric Age, investments in energy production and transmission are crucial. Energy is today’s gold, and the global struggle for it is the same.”
“The trade deal with India sent exactly the right message, in the right tone, and it was the right deal. We know that strategic autonomy is not about isolation – it is about influence,” he stressed. “Where possible, we must choose European products. But where this is not possible, we cannot jeopardize our industries dependent on external resources under the illusion of self-sufficiency. Extraversion must remain at the core of our European model.”
And he concluded by emphasizing that “in this spirit, the Parliament approved the agricultural safeguards for the EU-Mercosur agreement. We are now finalizing our work on the EU-US agreement. The vote in the competent committee will take place on the 24th of the month and then we will proceed to the Plenary Session in March. We recognize the need to conclude this agreement immediately, just as we recognize the need for it to be based on mutual trust, understanding and respect. Open, but never naive.”
