TSS: Access to high-quality SGIs will be crucial for the EU competitiveness, adaptation to climate change and a just transition

On Wednesday 20 March 2024, Pascal Bolo, SGI Europe President, and Valeria Ronzitti, General Secretary, addressed the Tripartite Social Summit in the presence of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium.

Taking the floor in the opening round, Pascal Bolo, SGI Europe President, said:

“It is impossible to reconcile the objectives of European competitiveness, adaptation to climate change and a just transition without guaranteeing access to high-quality services of general interest.”

“To implement the EU Green Deal, SGIs will need investment, long-term visibility and greater consistency in the European regulatory framework. They must be recognised and supported to also play their central role in the EU Green Deal and the modernisation of the Single Market, not simply as a crutch in the face of market failures or crises but as a structural element.”

“With the expected end of the Recovery and Resilience Facility in 2026 and the implementation of the new economic governance framework, we are at a critical juncture for the EU. We call for the EU's 2024-2029 strategic programme to fully recognise this reality and for appropriate instruments to be put in place to prevent a return to austerity policies.“

In the moderated discussion, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, commented:

“SGI Europe calls on the Commission to bring social partners to the table to design the second act of the EU Green Deal. This renewed partnership would ensure that the second act of the EU Green Deal reconciles the industrial strategy, the need to boost the EU competitiveness and the green transition's objectives.”

During the Tripartite Social Summit, SGI Europe also presented a joint declaration of the SGIs Network (available here) and the March 2024 Pulse of SGIs (available here).

(Photo: Copyright: European Union - Source: European Council)