During the first agenda item ministers discussed the digitalisation of the EU economy in the context of the European semester cycle. The Member States highlighted the necessity of structural reform and its priorities that are essential at both European and national level in order to exploit the full benefits of digital transformation.
The Member States had an in-depth discussion on the future of European industry and adopted conclusions on a future EU industrial policy strategy. The conclusions stress the urgent need for a long-term strategy for European industry in order to boost competitiveness, growth and innovation in Europe. State Secretary Mr István Lepsényi emphasized that Hungary firmly believed that manufacturing would continue to play a fundamental role in the future of global economy, and we had to preserve Europe’s production capacities whatever the future global economic order would be. One of our major goal is to help joint Industry 4.0 projects gain access to more rapid and effective commercialization of use cases of the digital technology. To achieve our goals a progressive MFF proposal is essential. We are ready to make a greater contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of the European industry.
On the way forward to improve and deepen the single market, Member States underlined that the single market was without question one of Europe’s greatest achievement. On the one hand the 25th anniversary of the single market gives us the opportunity to look back and to celebrate the success of the past, on the other hand it is the right moment to consider the challenging tasks of the next 25 years. On behalf of the Hungarian delegation, Mr Lepsényi emphasized the importance of a fair and balanced single market which takes into account the fundamental freedom to provide services, the uninterrupted functioning of the internal market, and the global competiveness of the European Union.
The permanent competitiveness “check-up” agenda item focused on the competiveness of the services sector in particular to the costs resulting from undue restrictions in the retail sector.
