Geert Bourgeois welcomes the European industrial and SME strategy, but requests focus and concrete action.

“I welcome the ambition of the European Commission to develop a new industrial and SME strategy and to abolish obstacles that hold back the full potential of the internal market.” MEP and N-VA delegation leader Geert Bourgeois welcomes the industrial, SME and internal market strategy, but does request focus and concrete action. “The enumeration and the goals look great, but what counts now is taking concrete measures quickly and achieving tangible results.”

The four priorities according to Geert Bourgeois

Today, the European Commission proposed a new industrial strategy. The N-VA welcomes the strategy, but Geert Bourgeois does expect concrete action. He is setting the following priorities:

A European Union that protects

In global competition, the EU must adopt an assertive stance against countries such as China and insist on reciprocity, refuse investments and products that make use of illegal state support, and bring an end to the forced transfer by our companies of our technology.

Deepening of the internal market

The Commission must give priority to the deepening of the internal market: a digital, transport and energy market. “An action plan to achieve a capital market sounds great, but it is above all urgent legislative work that is needed. Our SMEs are significantly disadvantaged by the lack of an internal capital market.” The N-VA also wants the de facto protectionism within the EU to be tackled. In ever more countries, the demand is being made that products offered for trade must be produced in that country. “If this continues, it will lead to the undermining of one of the greatest achievements of the EU, namely the internal market,” Geert Bourgeois explains.

Competition

In the evaluation of the competition policy, the aspect of European champions that have to take part in competition at a global level must be included.

A single permit process for cross-border infrastructure

Today it is possible for a cross-border project to be granted a permit in one country, but to run into a refusal in a neighbouring country. “The EU must make it possible for one single permit process, ranging from a public enquiry or a social cost-benefit analysis up to and including an appeal procedure, to suffice for cross-border projects.”