"Democracy in Action: Putting citizens and SGIs at the heart of the Single Market", with Enrico Letta and Pierre-Yves Dermagne

On Thursday 7 December, SGI Europe organised an event "Democracy in Action: Putting citizens and SGIs at the heart of the Single Market", which was a cornerstone of SGI Europe's reflection on the future of the Single Market and our contribution to the preparation of the High-Level report on the Future of the Single Market currently prepared by Enrico Letta (former Prime Minister of Italy and MEP).

Following a keynote introduction by Pierre-Yves Dermagne (Belgian Vice-Prime Minister, Minister for Economy and Labour) on the priorities of the upcoming Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU, the event highlighted the needed reconnection between EU institutions, its Single Market, citizens and how services of general interest (SGIs) can contribute to bridge the gaps.

The first session focused on the commitment of SGIs, across the EU, to a dynamic EU. Moderated by Valeria Ronzitti (General Secretary, SGI Europe), the session featured the participation of Pascal Bolo (President, SGI Europe, and President of SGI France), Milena Angelova (Vice-President, SGI Europe, and General Secretary of BICA - BG), Filippo Brandolini (Vice-President, SGI Europe, and President, Utiilitalia) and Ozgür Öner (EU Director, Federal Association of German Housing and Real Estate Companies). During this panel, speakers highlighted the opportunities and challenges brought by the consolidation of the Single Market on their main activities and presented ways to ensure that the Future of the Single Market can contribute to support the provision of affordable, accessible and high-quality SGIs to all citizens.

The second session, moderated by Stéphane Rodrigues, brought around the table representatives from the SGIs Network: Botond Szebeny (General Secretary, PostEurop, postal services), Alberto Mazzola (Executive Director, CER, railways), Leonie Martin, (Advisor, HOSPEEM, hospitals and healthcare), and Marine Gaudron (Advisor, CEMR, local and regional authorities). Each speaker took the opportunity to emphasise to Mr Letta the contribution of their respective sector to the EU project, and further emphasise that the Single Market must benefit all citizens, and not solely focus on the competitiveness of the EU.

Finally, a third session - organised by the European Movement International - was dedicated to a direct exchange of views between Mr Letta with citizens involved in the Conference of the Future of Europe, and was moderated by Petros Fassoulas (European Movement International, General Secretary).

All of the panels were followed by feedback and reflections from Enrico Letta, whose Report on the Future of the Single Market (to be presented at the meeting of the European Council of March 2024) will pave the way for the consolidation and better articulation between the economic and social development of the EU.