President Mallia: The competitiveness agenda should not be a fad, but a real driver to deliver prosperity for all

At the European Economic and Social Committee plenary session on Wednesday (25 January), EESC members discussed the EU's response to geopolitical challenges with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.

Employers' Group President, Stefano Mallia, stressed that the competitiveness of European companies has to be at the core of our priorities moving forward.

"I will clearly say that we are disappointed at the Inflation Reduction Act put in place by the Biden administration and we are very conscious of the need for a strong, open and competitive Europe that is capable of take care of the wellbeing of all its citizens and indeed is capable of driving prosperity for all," he said.

Mallia called on the President of the European Parliament, as one of the EU political leaders, to find with the American counterparts a way forward together rather than against each other.

The Employers' Group President underlined that the Swedish Presidency of the EU, which started at the beginning of the month, had clearly recognised that competitiveness was the only way to return to growth and put it at the centre of its priorities.

"But competitiveness cannot just be a fad, a flavour of the moment," Mallia said, stressing that we did not have a visionary strategy for growth since the Lisbon Strategy over 20 years ago!

"Being competitive, being able to compete internationally and create jobs has to be a way of life, a way of thinking. It has to be at the centre of our policy-making. This is why we are advocating that the EU adopts a Competitiveness Agenda, an agenda that will help us regain growth, regain prosperity, move strongly into the green economy and indeed once again become world leaders," he insisted.

President Metsola echoed the call for competitiveness, underlining that right now "our number one priority is Europe’s competitiveness. We must ensure the Green Deal and the digital transition continue in earnest. We must return to growth and lower our dependencies."

She also greeted the work of the European Economic and Social Committee, stressing that the Committee stakeholders are at the forefront of implementing National Recovery and Resilience Plans. "The success and effectiveness of our recovery plan depends on them, on us, on you."

"When we look at how our relationship between the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee since 1957 has evolved dramatically. It has evolved on how our constructive and consultative partnership is outlined, not only in precision in the treaties, but also in terms of your legislative recommendations. For example, in the green and digital transitions which were particularly appreciated by Members of the European Parliament, when it came to fixing together the final outcome of the trilogues at the end of last year. This will continue to dominate our work in the beginning of this year during the current Swedish Presidency and the upcoming Spanish and Belgian Presidencies," she explained.

Stefano Mallia also flagged that the decision to keep Bulgaria and Romania outside of Schengen was unacceptable. "This Madam President is the wrong decision not least of all when solidarity between member states is so important. Now is the time to stand together and not against each other. It is a decision Madam President which we must overturn sooner rather than later and once again we look towards you for support on this decision as well," he ended.

In front of the "obscene invasion" of Ukraine by Russia, he underlined the risk of escalation rather than a peaceful solution and called for the EU to redouble its efforts in protecting Ukraine because "we all know that losing Ukraine now is just unthinkable also in terms of what it will mean for democracy around the world."