EU competitiveness ministers to discuss crisis resilience and strategic dependencies

NordenBladet — The EU ministers responsible for the internal market and industrial policy will meet to discuss the Union’s measures to develop its crisis resilience. The meeting will be organised by France, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The ministers responsible for the internal market and industrial policy will meet in Lens, France on 31 January and 1 February 2022. They will discuss the EU’s measures to reduce strategic dependencies as well as the challenges related to critical materials. Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä will represent Finland. Finland considers it important that the supply of raw materials is evaluated as part of the green transition. Finland also emphasises that sustainable bioeconomy solutions should be added to the EU’s strategic toolbox. “The bioeconomy, circular economy and innovations play a crucial role in the industry’s transition towards a carbon-neutral economy. For example, new bio-based alternatives are key to solving the challenges concerning raw materials. This should be recognised more widely at the EU level,” Lintilä says. The EU reviews and monitors the Union’s strategic dependencies at regular intervals. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for the EU to strengthen its crisis resilience and ensure the availability of certain critical raw materials and equipment, such as medicines and protective equipment. Improving crisis resilience should be evaluated from a broad perspective, which takes into account the economic renewal and ensures a level playing field for all in the EU market. An efficient internal market and an open and rules-based trade policy play an important role in ensuring security of supply. In the EU’s informal meetings, ministers discuss current issues, but no decisions are taken.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi