Reaction to the Informal Council Declaration on Competitiveness

We support the Council’s joint statement demonstrating commitment to competitiveness in the EU. It’s good to see alignment with the Draghi and Letta reports, but now we need action that shows results within a year or two. We need fast-tracked investments, more cross-border procurement, coordinated tax breaks and common capital markets to get us back in the tech race—urgently. 

Also, let’s not forget that while the Commission is the architect of EU policies, it takes two to tango. Member States themselves can unlock together many of the funding incentives we need to become a digital powerhouse.  

Both Commission and Council must work together with industry to:  

• Ensure the 2025 Single Market Strategy is a practical action plan to unburden companies from billions of euros in regulatory compliance every year and help them flourish in Europe. 

• Maintain Europe’s global leadership in critical technologies like connectivity and regain strength in green tech by 2030. Any new industrial strategy must provide meaningful support and incentives to spearhead innovation in Europe instead of creating a  ‘’waiting room’’ for future possible actions. 

• Prioritise funding for proven technologies that are market-ready, especially in key areas like defense and critical infrastructure, where the Council has rightly focused attention. The 3% GDP target for R&D, already overdue by 4 years, needs a fresh direction. Rather than fueling the engine without a destination, let’s steer funding toward tech commercialisation to break the cycle of stalled innovation.