Thank you Madam President, dear Roberta,
President Costa, dear António,
Honourable Members,
President Costa has spoken on the broad range of topics we discussed. So allow me to build on this by zooming in on two areas which were the most prominent in the European Council. The first is geoeconomics. The second, defence and security.
Honourable Members,
A year ago, in my Political Guidelines, I spoke of the need for Europe to build a true foreign economic policy. The seismic and disruptive shift in global economic relations in the last year has made that need all the more acute. But any foreign economic policy must start at home. Because we first need to make our own economic and industrial base stronger and more resilient to shocks. And this is the work we are doing in four key areas.
First, we need to make it easier for innovative companies to grow here in Europe. Our entrepreneurs, startups and scaleups all lack access to the capital they need. This is a handicap relative to all of our direct competitors. This is why we need to speed up our work on the capital markets, build the Savings and Investment Union, and deliver on our first ever startup and scaleup strategy.
Second, we need to make Europe a better place to invest. Two out of three EU companies say that regulation is a key obstacle to investment. We need to make it easier and faster for companies. Speed and simplification. This is why we are working on our omnibus proposals for those strategic sectors. We stick to our climate goals. But we make it easier to reach them. We are agile, flexible and adaptable on the way towards the climate goals.
Third point is to make doing business in Europe cheaper. Energy costs in particular continue to be a competitive disadvantage for our industry. This is why it is so important we step up investment in grids, interconnectors and storage. That we fully implement our Affordable Energy Action Plan. And deliver on our commitment to phase out imports of Russian gas and oil by the end of 2027.”It is time to turn off the tap and end the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe for good.” So: capital, speed and simplifying energy costs down focus on homework at home.
Honourable Members,
Abroad, of course, we also have a lot of work to do.Turning nowto th US.Since February,the US has imposed tariffs n70%of total EU trade withtheUS.The scale ndthe scopeof these measures s unprecedented.Our linehas been clear.We will be firm.We do prefer negotiated solution.Thisiswhywe reworking closelywiththeUS administrationto getan agreement.And Ihad good exchange with President Trump earlier this week help move things forward.We looking fora reliable framework – from whichwe can keep building common trade.So message clear:”We stick principles,we defend interests,we continue workin good faith.,and get readyfor scenarios.”We willof course keepthis House fully informed.
Honourable Members,
The reasonwe reworking day night find solution because believe tariffs bad business.And arenot only ones worldwide.Since start new mandate,we already concluded new trade deals with Mercosur,Mexico Switzerland.We willwork hard finalise deal India end year,”thatwillbe enormous opportunity,a huge market.”And therewillbe more come.Because world looking partnersitcan counton,and Europe partner.For us,key part foreign economic policy,and competitiveness.You mentioned enormous market Mercosur could reachedby business consumers both sides.These trade negotiations different countries open immense new opportunities,”so yes moment riskfor Europe,but also moment opportunityfor Europe.And upto seize.”
Let me turn second topic.Tonight 728 drone attacks Ukraine taken place.It highest number day since beginning war.If look battlefield see very clearly war still rages threat Russia remains.This reality must always keep mind when discuss defence.Cannot rely others defend Europe.defenceEurope responsibility.
We apprehend urgency.Made huge step forward since European Council March.Set White Paper Readiness 2030.ReArmEurope Plan laid necessary tools deliver surge investment.Facilitated investment EUR800 billion defence.surge European defence spending needed possible.Member States requested activation National Escape Clause.Allows substantial increase defence expenditure without triggering Excessive Deficit Procedure.On top comes SAFE – EUR150 billion loans joint procurement.Member States signalled intention take loans.expect join.crucial.defence readiness not only about much spend.mostly about spend.European Council tasked Roadmap Readiness European Council October.Work Member States map capability gaps overview close cooperation NATO.identify common European projects joint procurement flagships.Member States spend interoperability more European.want more investment stay Europe boost own defence industry research development Member States.good security.creating good jobs here home.defence industry enabled consolidate scale speed.expect lot hard work should certainly slow down.
Let give example slowing down.authorise expansion already existing defence factory take over one year – speaking already existing factory.permit denied size car park.cannot be.two weeks ago tabled Defence Omnibus.Omnibus aims simplify number European rules.fast-track permitting simplify State aid rules etcetera.Omnibus needs agreed Parliament Council.time essence.because Russia rearming fast let clear.more wait more European investment go abroad outsideEuropean Union
Honourable Members,
To finish,I would like stress that this investment as important Member States future Member States candidate countries.talking about common security – common prosperity.course particularly case Ukraine.speed cost-effectiveness smartness production impressive.started years ago scratch nothing.amazing see built.highly capable defence industry operating capacity.opportunity.MemberStates take SAFE loans procure directly Ukrainian defence industry.Member Sates top-notch quality fast cheap.Ukraine crucial revenues.also opportunity strengthen itsdefence industrial base.Ukraine EU stand together now– future.With House Commission MemberStates present future.Long live Europe.Paula PINHO Chief Spokesperson Phone +32 2 29 20815 Mail [email protected] Arianna PODESTA Deputy Chief Spokesperson Phone +32 2 298 70 24 Mail [email protected] Stefan DE KEERSMAECKER Deputy Chief Spokesperson Phone +32 2 29 84680 Mail [email protected]
