MEDPOL: SGI Europe calls for reinforcing services of general interest to ensure the EU strategic autonomy and upward convergence

On Monday 8 November 2021, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, addressed the Macro-Economic Dialogue at Political Level (MEDPOL) by videoconference.

Bringing together, amongst others, Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commission Executive Vice-President for An Economy that Works for People, Christine Lagarde, ECB President, Paschal Donohoe, Eurogroup President and social partners, the meeting focused on exchanging views on the current economic conditions and outlook and the digital transformation in light of the recovery.

Talking the floor on behalf of SGI employers, Valeria Ronzitti, General Secretary, said:

“The implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans is crucial to achieving long-term growth potential in line with the transformation of our economies. Essential services of general interest should be placed at the heart of the investments and reforms elements of the Recovery and Resilience Facility.”

“All 27 National Recovery Resilience Plans must reinforce the accessibility, affordability, and quality of key SGIs to ensure the EU strategic autonomy and protect the most vulnerable. The EU institutions must closely monitor and evaluate whether the reforms and investments undertaken in the NRRPs will lead to better quality, affordability and accessibility to all essential services as described in the European Pillar of social rights.”

“The review of the EU economic governance is a historic opportunity to align the investment approach of the Next Generation EU with fiscal policies, with the ultimate aim to attain sustainable debt financing research, education and digital and green infrastructures.”