SGI Europe at the TSS: Europe’s competitiveness depends on reliable, affordable and resilient services in every territory

On 14 October 2026, SGI Europe participated in the Tripartite Social Summit in Brussels, in the presence of, among others, António Costa, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Micheál Martin, Taoiseach of Ireland.

Held under the theme “Driving Europe Forward”, the Summit focused on a new Multiannual Financial Framework supporting competitiveness and quality jobs, and a Single Market that delivers for workers and enterprises.

In the opening round, Ingbert Liebing, SGI Europe President, said:

“Affordable energy is our first test: high and volatile prices hurt businesses, households and SGI providers. Targeted, temporary relief may help, but investment must keep flowing into decarbonisation, secure supply and resilient infrastructure. Europe’s lasting answer is faster investment in clean energy, grids, storage, interconnections and efficiency to cut dependence on imported fossil fuels.”

“The next Multiannual Financial Framework must be Europe’s long-term investment strategy, with investment in services of general interest, critical infrastructures and essential services at its centre. But funding is not the solution to all: investment also requires enabling legislation. The Public Procurement Act is a concrete opportunity to put in place simpler and more flexible procedures and support enterprises to invest and deliver more effectively. The reform, meant to simplify public procurement, should make things easier for all.”

“Labour shortages in SGI sectors are already constraining Europe’s competitiveness and preparedness. The Single Market gave Europeans the freedom to move. We must now complement it with the Freedom to Stay: the genuine possibility for people to build a good life in the territory they call home. A competitive Europe can only exist through the networks, services and skilled workers that keep every territory functioning.”

In the opening discussion, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, said:

“We support the ambition to simplify and modernise the European budget. But a new budget is more than a new architecture. It requires a new mindset and moving beyond the outdated opposition between cohesion and competitiveness. Cohesion is not the opposite of competitiveness; it is one of its foundations.”