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Minister of Economy Saková appreciated the EU-level discussion on the Clean Industry Agreement

by AI | 12.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Denisa Sakova in Brussels at the EU Council praised the discussions on the net industry agreement and strengthening competitiveness.

Slovak Minister of Economy, Denisa Saková, praised the discussions on the clean industry agreement in Brussels. PHOTO: TASR

Brussels/Bratislava – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic Denisa Saková represented the Slovak Republic at the EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels on Wednesday. The main topic of the meeting was the discussion on the future and competitiveness of European industry. Special attention was given to the automotive industry during the negotiations. Slovakia also supports proposals to simplify European regulations, so-called Omnibus packages. This was reported to TASR by the Press Department of the Ministry of Economy.

“I am pleased that the European Commission recognizes the need for a change in the approach to supporting European industry and is gradually coming up with proposals to change things. Today we discussed specific proposals on how to strengthen – both regulatory and financially – the clean technology sector, as well as energy-intensive industries,” said Saková.

According to her, Slovakia welcomes the proposals of the so-called Omnibus packages, which aim to simplify European regulations and reduce administrative burdens for companies.

Some European directives impose obligations on large enterprises to assess and report on the societal impacts of their activities. Slovakia did not support these directives at the time of their approval but was overruled. Now, some impacts of these directives are beginning to be removed, explained the ministry.

One of the main topics of the EU Council meetings was the discussion on the new Clean Industrial Deal (CID), which the European Commission presented on February 26. Saková appreciated this strategic document but warned that it is not enough to immediately strengthen the competitiveness of European industry.

“If Europe is to genuinely help its industry, it must start addressing high energy prices and threatened supplies. We need immediate and targeted measures that will help particularly energy-intensive sectors. Measures to quickly secure affordable energy for industry are simply missing from the EU’s plans today,” emphasized the minister.

There was also an important discussion on measures to support the European automotive sector, as one of the key sectors of the European economy. The Commission has already presented some solutions aimed at reducing the “excessive” ecological pressure on European car manufacturers, the ministry explained in a report.

For Slovakia, according to Saková, it is extremely important that this goal is achieved while maintaining technological neutrality. The market should decide which solution is applied. “I am convinced that the automotive industry needs a stronger impulse for its further development in Europe. We cannot be satisfied with the solutions that are on the table today,” added Saková. (March 12)

“If Europe is to genuinely help its industry, it must start addressing high energy prices and threatened supplies. We need immediate and targeted measures that will help particularly energy-intensive sectors. Measures to quickly secure affordable energy for industry are simply missing from the EU’s plans today.” Denisa Saková