At the EESC’s April plenary, Maive Rute, the Commission’s Deputy Director-General for Internal Market, and Oliver Röpke, EESC President, highlighted that strengthening the EU’s competitiveness was key to increasing the growth and well-being of our economy and society.

According to Ms Rute, there is no time to lose. The EU has to act quickly and urgently if it wants to catch up and survive in the face of the excessive power of the world’s economic giants.

Assessing the state of play of EU competitiveness, she said: ‘What we need is radical change. We cannot leave the implementation of the single market to be carried out through good will – we need real enforcement behind it. We need to export our goods and technologies, but not our jobs. Our industries need to be competitive, and investment must happen here.’

Emphasising that competitiveness was a cornerstone of the EU’s economic success, driving growth, innovation, and prosperity while enhancing its global influence and resilience, Mr Röpke added: ‘When we discuss European competitiveness, we must put people at the centre of the debate and ensure that we leave no one behind. Its ultimate impact and significance lie in how it affects the well-being, opportunities and prosperity of individuals and communities. Therefore, any debate on competitiveness must prioritise the needs, rights and aspirations of people.’

The plenary also saw the adoption of the opinion on the Long-term competitiveness strategy drawn up by rapporteur Emilie Prouzet and co-rapporteur Stefano Palmieri. (mp)