The European Committee of the Regions hosted today a debate with Enrico Letta, Former Italian Prime Minister and author of the report on the European Single Market. The debate focused on the topic of competitiveness, following the presentation by the European Commission of a plan to boost the Competitiveness Compass, which confirmed the urgent need for a simplification, a reduction in regulatory burdens and lower energy prices.

ECR Vice-President and President of the Bratislava Region, Juraj Droba, pointed out "the risks of implementing increasingly ambitious EU policies without a comprehensive analysis of their impact on European industry and global competitiveness". Specificities of local and regional economies have also been repeatedly ignored, leading to decisions that are disconnected from real challenges.

"We need a more pragmatic and effective approach to policy-making – one that halts the decline in Europe’s production capacities, increases productivity and ensures the security of border regions in the face of growing threats", added Mr Droba.

For the ECR Group it is crucial to strengthen the Single Market, to reduce excessive regulatory burdens and to review the most restrictive regulations of the Green Deal, which led to the crisis in the automotive sector and other industries that are key for the EU's economic foundations. 

Competitiveness and security go hand in hand, as investments to protect territories will also boost local economies. "We want to invest in dual-use technologies that will increase regional competitiveness and stimulate economic development in many sectors. Our priority should be to increase resilience by improving national security vis-a-vis global political challenges", Mr Droba concluded.