Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-10-22-Speech-3-252"
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"en.20031022.10.3-252"2
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First of all, I want to thank both rapporteurs, Mrs Zrihen and Mr Langen, for their excellent work. Let me start with industrial policy before I move to entrepreneurship.
The textile sector is one of the first sectors undergoing an in-depth competitive analysis of the type described in the communication. Next week the Commission will adopt a communication on the future challenges of the textile and clothing sector. I know that there are many Members of Parliament for whom this is an extremely important priority.
At the same time the maritime industries will also be the subject of such an initiative and next week the ‘Leadership 2015’ programme will be presented. The Commission will make a communication on that basis.
We have also launched a technology platform on the future of mobile technologies and systems in Europe. That report will be ready in January. This is just an example of how horizontal policies and vertical sectoral solutions complement each other.
Turning now to the future, the Commission will need to report on the steps it has taken to implement the ideas and principles contained in the communication. We will do that early next year. We need to address in more detail and in a more operational way, issues such as: mobilising the appropriate policy tools to deal with the industrial consequences of enlargement; the international dimension of industrial policy, for example in the context of the Commission initiative ‘Wider Europe, Neighbourhood’.
We need to deepen the reflection on how to improve the linkage between EU industrial policy and the industrial policies of the Member States. In that area the Member States retain the bulk of responsibilities.
The Commission is currently working on an integrated competitiveness strategy at the request of the Competitiveness Council. I hope we will be able to present that in November. This will combine various elements, such as R[amp]D policy, the internal market and competition policy, with industrial policy. It is clear that there is a need to ensure close coordination between these various policy areas.
I hope that we will be able to continue to count on Parliament’s support in our endeavours to ensure that industrial policy stays at the top of the EU policy agenda. When we have economically challenging times, we are more serious. We must make this a permanent approach towards industry.
Concerning entrepreneurship, I agree with Mr Langen, throughout all of his speech. The encouragement of entrepreneurship and business creation is essential to building European competitiveness.
To understand better how we might exploit Europe’s entrepreneurial potential and to help establish a European agenda for entrepreneurship policy, we published the Green Paper ‘Entrepreneurship in Europe’. It called on national and regional policy-makers, business organisations, advisors, academics and think-tanks to provide their own opinions and suggestions in a subsequent consultation. This raised a number of questions with regard to two issues for Europe which, to my mind, are critical.
First, why do so few people start a business, when a relatively large number of individuals express their appreciation and respect for entrepreneurship? Why do so few make an effort themselves?
It is important to know that you share the view that the manufacturing industry needs to be put back at the top of the policy agenda.
Secondly, why do so few European SMEs see growth as an opportunity instead of pure risk? We need more people to start enterprises and we need more SMEs that want to grow.
The consultation stirred the interest of a large number of stakeholders across Europe and beyond. Now we are working on an action plan on the basis of this consultation. The action plan will be presented at the end of this year.
We expect to build the Action Plan around three priorities: first of all, reducing barriers for Europe’s existing entrepreneurs, an issue of particular concern to SMEs; secondly, unlocking the ambition of these enterprises for growth; and thirdly, encouraging more new entrepreneurial initiatives.
The Action Plan will suggest a limited number of key actions to be undertaken both by the Commission and the Member States. The role of the Member States is fundamental. For many policy areas where action is needed, competence lies at national or regional level.
Appropriate follow-up mechanisms and supporting measures will have to be in place in order to trigger or monitor progress. For this purpose, one should build on existing or adapted reporting mechanisms, such as the Charter Implementation report, which we have discussed here today.
I look forward to the debate in the House today, even though it is late at night. I call on the European Parliament to support this important initiative.
Manufacturing drives the growth of the service sector. Therefore it is also important as ever in the knowledge and service economy.
We need to work towards a balanced approach to sustainable development, where the three pillars – economic, social and environmental – are balanced and progress in parallel. If we fail with the economy – if we do not have competitive companies – the whole of sustainable development is in danger. If economic development is poor, we fail to meet social and environmental objectives.
Needless to say, such competitiveness relies, above all, on the specific assets of Europe, such as skilled human resources and technological advance, two points which your report rightly emphasises.
The draft report also calls for further action to implement the ideas contained in the communication. Let me summarise briefly what the Commission has done so far, before turning to how we view the future.
First, on the screening process, it consists of looking at how various EU policies contribute to the objectives of industrial policy, and how this contribution could be improved or reinforced. The screening process is well under way. We have already identified a number of policy areas where synergies could be greatly improved. I will give you three examples: regional policy, which can be mobilised more systematically both to promote a culture of innovation and to facilitate the management of industrial change; employment policy, where the social dialogue, at horizontal and sectoral level, has a useful role to play in helping to deal with industrial policy issues; and research and development policy, where the implementation of the so-called ‘3% action plan’ has direct relevance from an industrial policy standpoint.
With regard to industrial policy at the sectoral level, the Commission is putting together a package of activities to address the sectoral dimension of industrial competitiveness. The Commission will strengthen the analytical basis of our policy through constant monitoring of sectoral competitiveness, and in-depth analysis of selected sectors. When necessary, specific initiatives aiming to improve the competitive situation of the sectors will be proposed.
We are already working on a number of specific, sectoral initiatives, for example in the area of pharmaceuticals, aerospace and biotechnology strategy, with others to follow."@en1
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