Cefic Statement on European Council Conclusions: With the new EU agenda set, it is now time to implement it

Following the European Council Conclusions, Heads of State have acknowledged that urgent action is needed to restore Europe’s competitiveness. As called on by the signatories of the Antwerp Declaration, we now need to see the implementation of an EU Industrial Deal elevated as a key priority of the next EU institutional cycle.

“Friday’s Council Conclusions and the new EU Strategic Agenda have put competitiveness back on Europe’s agenda. It gives our industries across Europe and our head offices around the world reassurance to see many messages of the Antwerp Declaration being heard: strengthening the Single Market, accessing abundant supplies of affordable clean energy, and investments in infrastructure like grids, storage and interconnections.

The transition to climate-neutrality and European strategic independence will only be possible with the solutions provided by the chemical industry. We are therefore pleased to see chemicals listed as a key technology for the future in the new EU Strategic Agenda.

As the term of the Belgian Presidency ends, we would like to thank Prime Minister Alexander De Croo for giving industry the opportunity to share their calls. We look forward to working with the Hungarian Presidency of the Council to implement a European Industrial Deal to complement the EU Green Deal and safeguard High quality jobs for Europeans in Europe.”

Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General