Long-term competitiveness strategy

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.

For more information please contact INT secretariat