A competitive European industry, based on a European Industrial Deal, is the condition for the successful delivery of the EU Green Deal according to a joint statement signed by nearly 20 industry sectors, represented by 73 leaders.
The joint statement was handed over to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, following the industrial summit in Antwerp. The industry leaders agreed that the green energy transition can only be effective and successful if Europe’s competitiveness is maintained, which necessitates supportive incentives and regulatory environments to foster industrial development.
During the European Industrial Summit, leaders of influential sectors, together with trade unions, advocated for the competitiveness of European industry, emphasising the need for clear and predictable European industrial policy and rebuilding trust in the industry.
The Antwerp Declaration outlines 10 specific measures, including the strategic integration of the EU industrial agreement, streamlining regulations and simplifying the state aid framework. Signatories, which include many stakeholders from Central Eastern Europe, also call upon decision-makers to support the European industry in preserving its global competitiveness.
“From both sustainability and economic development perspectives, it is paramount for key industries, including the chemical industry, to maintain and enhance their competitiveness,” noted Csaba Szabó, Director of the Hungarian Chemical Industry Association (MAVESZ), which played an active role in preparing the Antwerp Declaration and supports its content. “We must do everything in our power to ensure that European Union leaders recognise that leading industrial players should be viewed as partners rather than problems, as their innovative solutions are instrumental in advancing the cause of the green energy transition.”
MOL Group also endorsed the statement, with Gabriel Szabó, Executive Vice President of the Downstream Business Unit, representing the company at the Antwerp Summit.
“MOL Group is committed to being a key player in the circular economy of the Central and Eastern European region and accelerating the green energy transition through its investments. However, this requires operating in a regulatory environment that incentivises rather than hinders the strengthening of our competitiveness,” said Mr Szabó. ‘This is especially true for a company like MOL, which plays a prominent role in ensuring the energy security of the region alongside meeting EU green objectives. We stand behind the joint statement issued with the leading companies of the European industry, as we are convinced that the decline in production and the current competitive disadvantage can be adequately addressed through comprehensive industry and regulatory collaboration.”
He also pointed out that the current regulatory environment, high energy prices and administrative burdens may lead to the departure of energy-intensive industries from Europe.