Eva Maydell (PPE), in writing. – I welcome the Commission’s Reflection Paper on Harnessing Globalisation and their efforts to make this central part of the discussion on the future of Europe. I also congratulate the successes of the Globalisation Adjustment Fund but I am concerned about its long-term orientation. For my generation there is no doubt that managing globalisation successfully means riding the wave of digitalisation and technological innovation. This can be both empowering and disruptive for our labour markets but it is a sine qua non condition for success. Europe needs to focus on two priorities.

First we need to equip our citizens with the skill necessary for the global workplace. Those are digital competence with higher profile. Mainstreaming training programmes for digital skills is the way to go. Already today 90% of all jobs require some level of digital skills.

Second, in the age of internet of things, robotics, artificial intelligence, Europe needs to have a regulatory environment unlocking the potential of data flow, and even more, making Europe an incubator for innovation. Here we will be stronger if we move together and not as separate Member States. Completing the Digital Single Market is the step that we should take now.