22-02-2024 11:45
Exchange of Views on the High Level Report on the Future of the Single Market
IMCO Members discussed with Mr Enrico Letta, former Italian Prime Minister and President of the Jacques Delors Institute, the main findings and preliminary recommendations to be included in the High-Level Report on the future of the Single Market, which is to be presented to the Council in spring. The main stakeholders were also invited to take part in the discussion.
Mr Letta focused on what he identified as the four new pillars of the single market that previously prevailed as national competences: defence, telecommunications, energy and financial services. He highlighted the new geopolitical landscape Europe finds itself in and the fact that this requires a coordinated effort in these four areas, combined with adequate speed, scale and funding. Mr Letta also underlined the importance of applying existing policy and maximising cohesion policy. In his final remarks he underlined the importance of EU citizens being at the heart of all decision-making processes; insisted on the importance of deeper EU cooperation in the financial services sector, while maintaining core EU principles such as the circular economy. Finally, he considered the Green Deal objectives as essential, but a backlash should be expected, he noted, if the budget is not fully planned.