Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-11-20-Speech-2-642-000"
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Mr President, honourable Members, it is clear that the contributions of all Members who have taken to the floor this evening focus on the competitiveness of European industry. The steel sector – as I said in my first intervention, in response to the question from Ms Sartori – is a key element. Competing at a global level evidently means having to deal with a reality that has completely changed compared to the past, as many Members have pointed out during this debate.
Regarding Terni, I believe Commissioner Almunia has acted in strict compliance with current legislation. The fact the Terni industrial site has remained united and whole is, I think, a good thing, and will enable it to be sold: fragmenting it would have been much riskier in terms of protecting the site; keeping it whole at least means being able to place it on the market with more guarantees for the protection of jobs and know-how. In terms of the steel pipes business, admittedly this has not been included with the rest of the site; however, this is not strictly related – even from a geographical point of view – in view of the willingness, it appears to me, of the current owner to sell the business. Therefore, I believe the problem that was highlighted by Ms Angelilli can be resolved by protecting this industrial site, which is important not only for Italy, but for the entire European Union.
I must stress the importance of having an industrial policy for the Union. We will discuss this again at the next Competitiveness Council on 10 December – a Competitiveness Council to which we would like to assign greater importance, and strengthen the role of industrial policy and industry representatives. I would like to thank the Cypriot presidency for its help with this initiative. On the evening of 9 December I also intend to meet with industry ministers to tackle the subject of the automotive crisis, which is closely linked to the issue of the steel crisis.
The Commission is absolutely determined to protect our industry, to make it more modern and competitive, more environmentally sustainable, but also, of course, to make it instrumental in exiting the crisis and safeguarding jobs. I am utterly convinced that the sacrifices we have demanded from our fellow citizens will be absolutely essential. However, unless these sacrifices are accompanied by a strong growth policy – and thus by a strong industrial policy – they risk being not only ineffective but above all harmful to our citizens. This is why it is important to tackle both fronts simultaneously. It is my responsibility and aim to defend the growth policy throughout the European Union, while protecting, strengthening and rendering the steel industry more competitive.
This is why, during the last Competitiveness Council, we discussed the issue of industrial policy, its strength at a global level and the problems that exist in a context that has changed since the 1950s. A debate is also under way within the Commission: I have received a letter on this very subject from seven industrialised countries – from Luxembourg to France, Italy and Germany – which are insisting that we have a debate on this issue, as well as on the issue of State aid.
Commissioner Almunia, who is responsible for competition policy, intends to present a draft reform. The Commission has also begun a debate, because we do not wish to be left behind. At the same time, we must remember that competition laws are fundamental for growth and that we must protect the internal market. However, if I have understood Members correctly, this is an issue that we must discuss and reflect on over the months ahead, if we want our industry to be competitive.
Internal market policy – in response to Ms Berès – must also be part of this initiative: Commissioner Barnier is undoubtedly one of the strongest advocates of a European industrial policy, and I have always been able to count on his support for all the initiatives I have sought to adopt, including the one on steel. This leads me to say that a reversal is under way at a political level in Europe: I mention the 20 % target, because alongside the 20 % reduction in CO
emissions and the 20 % renewables target, there is also the target of 20 % of GDP linked to industrial policy.
Evidently, there is still much to be done in the steel sector, such as the question of ETS raised by several Members. The Commission has already given a positive response regarding compensation: we have reached a stage where up to 85 % of the amount of State aid in this sector has been authorised, and we have included all of the most important industrial segments, including steel.
Conversely, with regard to back-loading, the European Commission has unveiled a specific proposal and the ball is now in the court of the European Parliament, whose opinion will be decisive because without the support of Parliament and the Council, nothing can be achieved in this sector. However, I have taken note of the concerns raised, although we need to act in a way – which I believe to be possible – that reconciles environmental policy and industrial policy.
I would now like to reply to Ms Durant...
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… and I do so in French. The new framework programme and Horizon 2020 will offer new opportunities for financing research and development and progressing towards more efficient production in terms of resources and energy. The iron and steel industry, together with other industries, has already submitted a proposal for a new public-private partnership called SPIRE. I think that these credits can also be used in future financial perspectives.
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Even regarding access to raw materials – an issue I raised but which Ms Merkies talked about in her intervention, as echoed by Ms Berès – I definitely do not think that the question of rare earth elements is the only problem. However, a strategy for raw materials is fundamental for the steel sector. As you know, we have signed a series of agreements with non-EU countries, paving the way for the Innovation Partnership on the replacement, recycling and extraction of raw materials. This is a strong initiative which will be financed as part of the current and upcoming financial perspectives, in which the European Parliament will be closely involved."@en1
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