Earlier today, at the European Parliament, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced various new measures and proposals aimed at strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and sovereignty on energy and supply chain issues.
First, the Commission President presented the EU Inc. proposals, which aims to reduce bureaucracy for EU companies across member states and make it easier for businesses to register and operate across the Single Market. The proposals are intended to simplify company registration and reduce administrative barriers. However, President Von der Leyen warned against overcomplicating the transposition of EU rules into national law. With regard to transposition, the Commission President announced proposal for a pact against “gold-plating”, which would seek to prevent member states from adding unnecessary requirements when implementing EU legislation.
The Commission President also welcomed the latest round of talks with China on trade, which resulted in initial progress on market access and export controls. She then continued by saying that the EU would introduce a new mechanism to restrict countries’ access to the Single Market if they impose or enable disadvantageous trade measures against the EU. The proposed instrument is intended to give the bloc additional tools to respond to unfair trade practices and economic imbalances.
The Commission President also called for an Energy Union and said that discussions would continue at Council level on how to further integrate the EU’s energy system across all its areas, including through joint procurement and improved electricity grid connectivity. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and make energy supplies more affordable and resilient.
You can find her speech here.
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