Alden biesen: Strengthening the competitiveness of the EU constitutes a strategic turning point for Europe's future and is directly linked to its strategic autonomy and independence, President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, said during the informal Summit at Alden Biesen Castle, in Belgium.
According to Cyprus News Agency, following the introductory remarks by Mario Draghi to the table of the 27 EU leaders, the President stressed that a more competitive Europe means a stronger, more resilient Union, better able to act autonomously in the international environment, underlining that these two objectives are inextricably linked.
President Christodoulides noted that accelerating European integration is required across all key policy areas, with emphasis on completing the Single Market, promoting a genuine Energy Union, creating a Savings and Investments Union, and deepening the Capital Markets Union. He stressed that, in an environment of growing geo-economic competition, the European Union must move swiftly and decisively in order to remain a globally relevant power.
As regards the role of Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the President underlined that competitiveness constitutes a central political priority for Nicosia, noting that an informal Competitiveness Council has already taken place in Cyprus and will be followed by the formal Council in Brussels, with a view both to preparing and to following up the leaders' discussions, in order to shape concrete outcomes and decisions.
The President then presented the eight proposals of the Republic of Cyprus for strengthening the Union's competitiveness, stressing the need for decisions with clear timelines. He pointed out that the first key direction is the simplification of the regulatory framework. He stated that reducing bureaucracy and administrative burden is crucial for businesses - particularly small and medium-sized enterprises - for citizens and for attracting investment.
With regard to reducing strategic dependencies, the President stressed the need to diversify and secure access to markets through an expanded network of trade agreements. He noted that free trade agreements have not only economic but also geopolitical importance and welcomed progress on agreements with key partners, highlighting the need to conclude agreements, among others, with the United Arab Emirates, the countries of Southeast Asia and Australia.
The President noted that the third pillar is technology and innovation. He stated that Europe is losing significant human capital to third countries due to difficulties in scaling up technology companies, and underlined the need to create a favourable ecosystem for research, innovation and investment in cutting-edge technologies.
Referring to energy, the President underlined that high energy prices constitute a serious challenge for households and businesses, with a direct impact on competitiveness. He stressed that the interconnection and modernisation of European networks are of crucial importance for reducing costs and ensuring strategic independence.
The President also stated that European resources must primarily strengthen the European productive base, including in the defence sector. At the same time, he stressed that the Union is a credible power, with a range of instruments at its disposal, enabling it to respond proportionately and in unity in cases of coercion or threats.
With regard to the new Multiannual Financial Framework, the President noted that it must reflect the priority of competitiveness and referred to the objective of the Cypriot Presidency to achieve substantial progress on the European Competitiveness Fund.
President Christodoulides further stressed that competitiveness must remain firmly on the agenda of the European Council, with clear political guidance, specific timelines and swift implementation, so that results are felt by citizens and businesses.
The President also underlined that European action must go hand in hand with national reforms. In the case of Cyprus, he noted that reforms in taxation, education, justice and digitalisation, together with the attraction of investment, have led to strong growth, low unemployment and a significant reduction in public debt.
In concluding his remarks, the President stated that the slogan of the Cypriot Presidency, 'An Autonomous Union, open to the world', is fully aligned with today's discussion, and stressed that strategic autonomy does not mean isolation, but rather the ability to act independently when needed, as well as resilience.