Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-23-Speech-3-368"
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".
I have listened with interest to this debate, which relates to an extraordinarily sensitive subject. It is quite clear that the European steel industry is a very important component of our economy and, in its own way, of our European identity. It is also quite clear that consideration is given in the Lisbon strategy to industrial policy. One of the strategic decisions included in this document is to support European industry and to facilitate its stabilisation and development, since industry is a key part of our European civilisation.
Ladies and gentlemen, the European steel industry has undergone significant restructuring, and it is competitive. It is quite clear that there will of course be further partial restructuring, and such restructuring must be backed up by appropriate social measures. As regards the Commission’s role, I must say that its powers are limited in this case; to put it more precisely, the Commission has no power to take action against the ThyssenKrupp management and to persuade it or force it to change its decision.
As regards the relocation of the factory, or part of the production at this factory, to the Federal Republic of Germany, it is generally said that we are free to choose where to locate the production of goods and where to provide services within the European Union. This derives from the idea of the internal market, and it is enshrined in the Treaties we have approved. It is of course clear that restructuring of this kind is always accompanied by social problems and difficulties, and this is why we need a public policy which enables these sectors, regions and workers to make the necessary adjustments, and which guarantees an appropriate level of protection. This is also one of the aims of the Commission communication I intend to present as soon as possible on restructuring and employment.
I should like to reaffirm the importance of social dialogue when preparing for and managing restructuring. The communication I mentioned will therefore represent a second phase of consultation with European social partners on issues relating to the restructuring of companies and on European works councils. I firmly believe that the social partners will take up this challenge, and enter into negotiations aimed at introducing mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of guidelines for restructuring, and that they will also exploit the capabilities of European works councils as mediators of change within companies.
With regard to the matter of whether Thyssen was granted any Community funding in Italy, the Commission has approached the competent Italian bodies for an answer to this question, and we are currently awaiting their response. If confirmation is given that funding was granted, however, and that the conditions under which it was granted have not been observed, the Commission would of course insist that the competent Italian bodies should take the appropriate steps.
I would point out that according to the existing arrangements, assistance cannot continue to be granted under the Structural Funds if the business involved undergoes fundamental changes, for example if it is relocated within five years following the decision to allocate funds. I would also point out that the Commission has proposed extending this deadline to seven years for the 2007–2013 period, as well as stipulating that if this rule is infringed in any way any funding granted must be returned, and that a company that has failed to comply with this condition once should be forbidden from obtaining any kind of funding in the future.
Ladies and gentlemen, a whole series of questions have been raised, such as the matter of a framework programme. It is quite clear that what the steel industry needs is innovative measures, and that this industry is a source of outstanding innovations, since metallurgical processes always involve the use of high technology. There is therefore no question that the steel industry will be allocated an appropriate place in the framework programme. There is much debate over the REACH directive, and while I do not believe that anyone is in any doubt as to whether consideration should be given to this directive, it is clear that it must be balanced and that it must be focused on its goals. The enforcement of the Kyoto Protocol can in any case be regarded as a success story for the European Union, and there can be no doubt that it is a major global success for the stability of our world as a whole.
We began examining the problem of emissions trading a few days ago, and it will clearly be very important to evaluate all the findings and to formulate a position on processes that may on occasion be paradoxical in nature and have unintended side effects.
Ladies and gentlemen, the steel industry is worthy of our attention, and restructuring, which is part of modern life, calls for a comprehensive European policy, the involvement of social partners and a desire to respond to these challenges. Ladies and gentlemen, I should like to reiterate my appreciation for the efforts undertaken by the Italian authorities. I believe that it is still possible to influence developments to a certain extent, and we shall respond to such developments."@en1
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