Virtual Breakfast-Debate with María Teresa Fábregas, Director Recovery and Resilience Task Force at the European Commission

On Thursday 1st October, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organised a new virtual breakfast debate in the framework of its “Business Circle” platform. The breakfast focused on “Recovery plans: sustainable growth” and María Teresa Fábregas, Director Recovery and Resilience Task Force at the European Commission was the guest speaker.

Pablo López Álvarez, Vicepresident of the Chamber,  welcomed and thanked the speakers as well as all the attendees.

Afterwards, on behalf of the member company and sponsor of the event, Iberdrola, its Director of European Public Affairs, Eva Chamizo, took the floor and thanked the spekaer and the entire team of the European Commission’s Working Group for Recovery and Resilience, for their great work in contributing from the European institutions to economic recovery. Chamizo stressed the need to commit to a green and sustainable recovery linked to the objectives of the Green Deal and allows private investment in clean energy. She also highlighted Iberdrola’s long career in prioritising investment in green energy, which made Iberdrola stand out among the leading companies in the sector.

María Teresa Fábregas began by outlining the key points of the future Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, which forms part of the Recovery Plan for Europe proposed by the European Commission. The intention of this mechanism is to contribute to the repair of the economic and social damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic without forgetting the great strategic challenges facing Europe.

This plan is aimed first and firstly at the ecological transition of the European Union towards a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 in line with the Green Deal. The speaker also highlighted as the second key of the economic recovery, the digital transition to adapt our economies and societies to new technologies. Fábregas went on explaining that it will be up to the Member States to present their national recovery plans to the European Commission from 15 October, which will ensure that they are properly implemented through the auditing and control mechanisms that are being applied to all European funds. The Director of the Working Group for Recovery and Resilience explained that the management of the mechanism’s funds will have to be done in accordance with the constitutional order of each country and in accordance with the distribution of competences in the case of decentralised Member States. However, national governments will have a certain margin to determine how they will manage them, either through transfers to sub-national entities (federated states, autonomous communities, etc.) or through central agencies.

During the round of questions, the participants were able to express their doubts and comments on many areas of interest. Thus, topics such as eligibility criteria and the mechanism for allocating funds for recovery, the social economy or more specific measures for the cultural and audio-visual sector were discussed.

From the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg we would like to thank María Teresa Fábregas, our member company Iberdrola for sponsoring this event and all attendees for joining this event.

 

Sponsored by:

Virtual breakfast-debate with MEPs Pilar del Castillo and Lina Gálvez: Priorities of the Committee on Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

On September 22nd, the Spanish Official Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted a new event within the cycle “Breakfasts with the European Parliament”, a platform for meetings between Spanish companies and the European Parliament, on the “Priorities of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) for the new term”. The event was attended by MEPs Pilar del Castillo (PP) and Lina Gálvez (PSOE), who belong to the Commission.

Pablo López Álvarez, Vice President of the Chamber and moderator of the event, welcomed and thanked the speakers for their participation and made a brief presentation.

Pilar del Castillo began by explaining how the energy sector is facing a wave of innovations related to the application of green energies and the decarbonization of the economy. The Commission has launched several communications on this subject, but has not yet published any legislation. The MEP also stressed the importance of innovation and research, as they are crucial for the whole economy and each of its sectors.

Del Castillo also emphasized the need for the legislative proposal made by the Commission to take into
account the entire value chain of the different industrial sectors. Finally, the speaker addressed the issue of digitization, highlighting that it was already an important issue before the coronavirus crisis, but now more than ever it is an indispensable element since it was the new technologies that sustained the economy and society during the toughest months of the crisis and continue to do so today. These new technologies also have to be applied as added value to the European Union in order to optimize their potential. The new technologies imply very important scales of investment, but they are even more necessary for the evolution of the SMEs.

As a member of the Artificial Intelligence Commission, the MEP also referred to AI as a central element that will revolutionize daily life and the economy, allowing for the optimization of investments and improving the competitiveness of companies. Del Castillo also referred to the importance of data in this process of digitalization, despite the fact that in Europe they are very compartmentalized. Therefore, a common space for European Union data would be necessary, which would be very useful to face, for example, health crises such as the one we are experiencing. All this without forgetting the crucial importance of privacy in this area.

Lina Gálvez took the floor talking, firstly, about the modification of the priorities of the ITRE committee as a result of the crisis of the COVID as well as the energy and digital transition (twin transition), mentioning the decrease in commitment to research and renewal by the EU in the latest budget negotiations, which she considers a big mistake. The MEP also explained how in Europe there has never been a single industrial strategy, although it is clear that there should be as a result of this crisis. Gálvez also stressed the importance of green energy, with the horizon of climate neutrality for 2050 to which not all member countries are at the same point. He also referred to how climate and energy legislation have a central weight in the regulatory agenda of the coming years: hydrogen, electric batteries and the long-term commitment to green energy are some of the items on the agenda.

Gálvez spoke of the power of the EU’s commitment to data strategy to benefit the industrial sector, along with the importance of the spirit of the European Union in the processing of this data, creating a common data strategy for all member countries to use for their benefit. Finally, the MEP stressed the importance of implementing a system so that citizens have rights and knowledge about the use of their personal data.

During the question time, the participants were able to ask several questions on various topics. Thus, topics such as the cuts in EU budgets and their impact on industry, the European Renovation Council, the preparation of the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience, the hopes and priorities of the new Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and finally on the ITRE Commission and its proposals to address the crisis were discussed.

From the Spanish Official Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg we would like to thank Lina Gálvez, Pilar del Castillo, and to all attendees for joining this event.

Virtual Breakfast-Debate with Clara de la Torre, Deputy Director-General of DG CLIMA and Nicolás González Casares, MEP of the ITRE Committee

On 16th July, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted a new session of its Breakfast Debates, a platform aimed for bridging Spanish companies and European Institutions. The event featured Clara de la Torre, Deputy Director-General of DG Clima and Nicolás González Casares, MEP of the ITRE Commission and shadow rapporteur for the European Climate Law, under the title: “Green Deal: Towards a carbon neutral economy for Europe”. Given the exceptional circumstances due to the spread of COVID-19 in Belgium and the social distancing measure in place, this breakfast debate was held online and was attended by representatives of member companies of the Chamber, European affairs director, members of multinational companies and Spanish Regional Delegations.

Pablo López Álvarez, Vicepresident of the Chamber,  welcomed and thanked the speakers as well as all the attendees. He began by presenting the background of the speakers and made a brief introduction. The event was moderated by Igor Idareta from Zabala Innovation Consulting, member company and sponsor of this Breakfast-Debate.

De la Torre began by mentioning the enormous importance of the upcoming European Council meeting to be held this weekend and its links with the “Green Deal”. After the crisis that all countries are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19, the Deputy Director General highlighted the importance of the Green Deal as a growth strategy and a key tool in the recovery of the European Union, without forgetting the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The economic recovery must be green to achieve a sustainable digital transition based on innovation and new technologies. In this same line, she pointed out the importance of public-private investments to boost a fair transition towards a circular, clean and sustainable energy that will allow our economies to be transformed. In this context, it is important to clarify the taxation of green investments in order to give certainty to companies in their financing. There are encouraging aspects in this context since the economic recovery is not directly linked to polluting emissions as shows the fact that since the 1990s emissions have been reduced by 20% to 30% but our economies have continued to grow. In the same sense, she pointed out that the European Union is the only region in the planet where a legal framework has been established that makes it compulsory to reduce emissions for the next ten years. This regulation is based on the commitment of the Member States to reduce up to 55% polluting gases emissions in order to comply with the Paris agreements. This European initiative has led many countries in the Union to adapt their legal frameworks to this ecological transition. One example would be Spain, that has already published a Climate Law. Finally, the speaker pointed out how this Green Deal is funded on joint action at European level, the support of the Member States and consistent legislation that will make possible to guide this change and achieve the ambitious objectives set.

González Casares emphasized how essential achieving a coordinated action by all Member States is in order to create an European fund for recovery from the pandemic that will enable us to boost the economy again. During his speech, the MEP highlighted the great challenge that the Green Deal still has ahead, a deal that will serve as a multi-tool in the fight against climate change towards ecological and fair sustainability. This agreement also has the support of the European Parliament which is confident that the Green Deal will lead to change in economic, technological and digital policies. The rapporteur also highlighted the need to support innovation as the driving force behind this green transition, through the electrification of transport and, especially, through the promotion of renewable energies. As an example of this new transition, he highlighted the closure of thermal power plants in Spain as a first step towards the decarbonization of the economy. He also stressed the need to protect workers in the impacted sectors so that they are not left out of this ecological transition. To tackle this problem, González Casares mentioned the creation of the Community’s Just Transition Fund, which will make possible a balance between sustainable economic growth and job losses.

During the Q&A time, the participants were able to present their comments and questions on many issues of interest. Thus, various topics were discussed, such as the taxation that will encourage sustainable investments and serve as a reference for the financial sector; the Horizon Europe Initiative; emissions traffic and its impact on the Climate Act; job protection and its consequences on the future remodeling of the labour market or the importance of fossil fuels and the circular economy.

From the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg we would like to thank the speakers Clara de la Torre and Nicolás González Casares as well as to all the participants in this session and our member Zabala Innovation Consulting for sponsoring the event.

Sponsored by:

Virtual Breakfast-Debate with Lucía Caudet Balzer, Deputy head of cabinet of Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market.

On June 25th, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted a new session of its Breakfast Debate, a platform aimed for bridging Spanish companies and European Institutions. The event featured Lucía Caudet Balzer, Deputy head of cabinet of Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market, under the title “COVID-19 recovery: what future for our digital sector, our industry and our internal market”. Given the exceptional circumstances due to the spread of COVID-19 in Belgium and the social distancing measure in place, this breakfast debate was held online and was attended by representatives of member companies of the Chamber, managers of companies, multinationals and Spanish Regional Delegations.

Pablo López Álvarez, Vice-President of the Chamber and moderator of the event, welcomed and thanked the speaker as well as all the attendees. First he introduced the speaker’s career and gave a quick introduction to the current situation we are facing that without doubt is affecting the priorities and activity of the European Commission.

Then, on behalf of our member company and sponsor of the event Telefónica, its General Secretary Pablo de Carvajal took the floor and thanked the speaker and the entire team of Commissioner Breton for their enormous dedication in the fight against the pandemic, as well as their dedication for an early economic recovery. He also did a brief summary of the situation in the telecommunications sector, which has demonstrated its reliability and highlighted its importance in our society, and aimed that it will be necessary to apply new measures to improve the European digital ecosystem.

Lucia Caudet began by summarizing the activities and objectives that the commissioner had been carrying out during his first 100 days marked by the Green Deal. After the emergence of the coronavirus, the agenda changed all of a sudden to focus during a first phase in boosting the production of masks and blowholes by contacting the industrial manufacturers to give these products to those who needed it most. After this first phase of emergency management, the commissioner’s activity is currently focused on the new European industrial strategy. To explain this new strategy, the speakerr began by referring to the different industrial ecosystems, highlighting that this is not a problem that affects a single member State, but involves the entire single market itself. To carry out this strategy, it will be necessary to provide liquidity and repair these industrial ecosystems by doing a microeconomic analysis of them.

The speaker reported that the European Commission has presented a historic recovery plan where the member States and the industrial sector will play a major role generating the necessary synergies that will transform our economy and industry through fair conditions within Europe but also in relation to the United States and China to maintain the competitiveness of our companies.

To conclude, Caudet explained that an agenda has been made to improve the resilience of our economies in order to ensure the interests and decision-making autonomy of Europeans by avoiding a great dependence on third States as the current sanitary crisis has staged. Then speaker then stand out that this crisis may represent, beyond the terrible human cost, an opportunity to modernize our economies for example with a better connectivity throughout Europe in which technologies such as 5G, block chain or artificial intelligence will be fundamental. It was also highlighted that despite the critics that have been received, this strategy is not based on planning the economy and does not pursue protectionist ends. Finally the speaker explained that despite of Europe arrived late to the first technological wave based on personal data, the European institutions won´t let pass this second wave based on industrial data.

During the Q&A session, participants were able to raise many questions of interest to the speaker. Thus, various topics were discussed such as the strategies to support the various ecosystems of the European economy through new technologies and the promotion of value chains, the different aspects that are being addressed in the standardization of technological components, the trends of the European Defense Fund or the leadership of European projects ourtside of internal borders.

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg would like to thank Lucía Caudet Balzer, all the participants in this session and our member Telefónica for sponsoring this event.

Sponsored by:

Online Breakfast-Debate with Cristina Rueda-Catry, Member of Cabinet of Phil Hogan, EU Commissioner for Trade

On June 3rd, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted a new session of its Breakfast Debates, a platform for meetings between Spanish companies and European Institutions. The event was addressed by Cristina Rueda-Catry, Member of Cabinet of Phil Hogan, EU Commissioner for Trade and covered “Implications of Covid for the European trade policy and the structure of supply chains”. Given the exceptional circumstances of the spread of COVID-19 in Belgium, this breakfast debate was held online and was attended by representatives of member companies of the Chamber, managers of companies, multinationals and Spanish Regional Delegations.

Pablo López Álvarez, Vice-President of the Chamber and moderator of the event, welcomed the speaker and thanked all the attendees for their participation. He began with a presentation of the speaker and gave a quick introduction to the current situation we are facing, which is undoubtedly affecting the priorities and activity of the Commission.

Then, on behalf of our member company and sponsor of the event Van Bael & Bellis, a law firm specialized in EU Commercial Law, its partner Pablo Muñiz took the floor and thanked the speaker and all attendees for their participation in this event.

Cristina Rueda began by explaining how this pandemic has overtaken all sectors of society and that it will reach both public health and the economy, given this the European Commission is paying attention to the economic recovery of its members and companies.

During her speech, Rueda explained how this crisis has impacted the world trade with a drastic drop in both exports and imports in Europe. The speaker highlighted that world trade was one of the main growth booster of the European Union and that a proactive trade policy will be necessary for its recovery. European trade policy has seen many changes during this crisis, so a new revision of it will be necessary, giving the EU the leadership to guarantee greater resilience and sustainability. This will be achieved, among many other points, by supporting SMEs, diversifying supply chains, protecting companies and workers or keeping the markets open, when companies integrate the needs of the workers and society. She also informed that it will be crucial for this recovery to guarantee the diversity of the offer and to reinforce the anti-dumping duties that protect many jobs and companies from unfair practices. In another area, she reminded that the relaxation of the State aid regulations is merely temporary and that this practice should not be over-extended so that it is not perceived negatively by our present and future trade partners.

On the other hand, the speaker reported on the agenda of bilateral negotiations with Latin America, in which she explained some of the agreements that are currently under negotiation  with Mexico or Chile as well as the single bilateral agreement with MERCOSUR that will allow great savings in rates and which is unique since the block does not have other similar agreements.

Finally, Rueda informed that, in these months of great activity that lie ahead, it will be essential that all interested companies participate in the forthcoming consultations and debates of the European Commission, not only to face the challenges of Covid but in all sectors that already had problems previously that also have been affected by this crisis.

During the Q&A session, participants were able to raise many questions of interest to them. Thus, various topics were discussed such as the impact of this crisis on the negotiation and implementation of free trade agreements, the agreements with China and India or the sustainable development measures that will be carried out during the economic recovery.

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg would like to thank Cristina Rueda-Catry, all the participants in this session and our member Van Bael & Bellis for sponsoring this event.

 

Sponsored by:

Breakfast-Debate with Isabel de la Mata, Principal Advisor for Health and Crisis Management, European Commission

On May 27th, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted a new session of its Breakfast Debates, a platform for meetings between Spanish companies and European Institutions. The event was addressed by Isabel de la Mata, Principal Advisor for Health and Crisis Management of the European Commission and covered “The role of the Commission and DG SANTE in relation to the COVID: present and future”. Given the exceptional circumstances of the spread of COVID-19 in Belgium, this breakfast debate was held online and was attended by representatives of member companies of the Chamber, managers of companies, multinationals and Spanish Regional Delegations.

 

Pablo López Álvarez, Vice-President of the Chamber and moderator of the event, welcomed the speaker and thanked all the attendees for their participation. He began with a presentation of the principal advisor and gave a quick introduction to the current situation we are facing, which is undoubtedly affecting the priorities and activity of the Commission.

 

 

 

Isabel de la Mata began by explaining the integrated response provided by the European Commission to the covid-19 crisis, from monitoring the evolution of the pandemic with the help of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), to the management and measures adopted to cover the most immediate needs in the supply of medicines and medical equipment.

 

During her presentation, the speaker highlighted the joint action of Member States in tackling the health crisis and in making joint purchases of the products that are in most shortage in the Union, namely health protection equipment. She then underlined the outstanding work of the European team of experts that advises the European Commission and that has been elaborating reports and recommendations of great importance in subjects such as the prevention tests, community measures, de-escalation phases, etc. during the development of this crisis. It also highlighted the good crisis coordination by the European Institutions, through the general crisis coordination system, in close collaboration with the Health Security Committee, the Council’s IPCR and the competent authorities of the Member States. Furthermore, she also reported on the different financial instruments on which the European Institutions, and in particular the Commission, have relied and noted the great flexibilization on the use of all the financial instruments to achieve an effective and immediate health response appropriate to the needs arising from this crisis.

During the Q&A session, participants were able to raise many questions of interest to them. Thus, various topics were discussed such as the impact of this crisis on the European pharmaceutical strategy within the new Community health program or the lines of action, external and internal, in which the EU is working on an effective vaccine in the close future.

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg would like to thank Isabel de la Mata and all the participants in this session for their participation.

Breakfast-Debate with the MEPs Pablo Arias and Adriana Maldonado

On May 20th, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted an event as part of the “Breakfasts with the European Parliament” cycle, a platform for meetings between Spanish companies and the European Parliament, on the priorities of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) for the new legislature. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Pablo Arias Echeverría, member of the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP), and Adriana Maldonado López, member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) attended to the session. Given the exceptional circumstances due to the spread of COVID-19 in Belgium, this Breakfast-debate was held telematically and featured among the attendants representatives from member companies of the Chamber, managers of multinational companies as well as European and Spanish associations.

The president of the Chamber, Juan Rodríguez-Villa, welcomed the event and thanked the participation of the speakers and all of the attendants. Also, Pablo López Álvarez, Vice President of the Chamber and moderator of the event, introduced the speakers and briefly referred to the current historical circumstances we are experiencing, and explained that this situation has undoubtedly compromised the short-term priorities and activity of the Eurogroup.

The MEP Pablo Arias explained that the situation in which we find ourselves has forced us to take measures that were not foreseen at the beginning of this legislature. During his speech, the MEP highlighted that the key of the recovery and reactivation of the economy will be to value the single market, because consumption will have to be reactivated due to the fall in employment. In this way, the Parliament and the European Commission are already working to see what mechanisms will be used. Then, he focused on the importance that electronic commerce has at the moment, highlighting that their main objective is to offer secure e-commerce and bet on digital leadership without losing competitiveness, being this digital sphere the one that has helped to maintain the EU economy during the pandemic and will be key to its recovery. On the other hand, Arias reviewed the different sectors that have been affected by this crisis, such as tourism. He also highlighted the exceptional reaction by carriers and the food sector. To finish, the MEP declared that the competitiveness of the European Union must be protected and that today the vaccine against COVID-19 is a priority for Europe.

Next, MEP Adriana Maldonado, who noted the quick reaction of the European Union and its coordination in managing this crisis while analyzing it, because there was no similar precedent. From her side, the MEP highlighted the good value chain of the EU’s primary sector as it has been shown that, despite consumer’s uncertainty, they have offered full supply. At the same time, she analyzed the weaknesses of the European Union, such as the lack of stock of pharmaceuticals or basic products, which will serve to establish a minimum stock for the future. On the other hand, Maldonado reported on the great impact that state aids have on the internal market and that it will be necessary to seek equality within this market so all countries can benefit from it. In conclusion, she explained that a recovery plan is needed to improve the weaknesses of the EU, emphasizing in the digitization of both companies and public administrations to show security to all consumers and be more competitive. The MEP also highlighted that the legislative work of the European Parliament, as the representative of the Europeans, has not stopped at any time and that adaptation to the telematic context has been fast.

During the time for questions, the participants were able to inquire the speakers on many issues of their interest. Thereby, they covered topics such as the importance of social action policies within the European Union or how this commission will bet on innovation and digitization due to this situation for the new legislature.

The Spanish Official Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg would like to thank the MEPs, Spanish companies and representatives of the European Parliament who participated in this Breakfast.

Breakfast-debate with MEPs Isabel Benjumea and Jonas Fernandez: Priorities of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) in the context of the Coronavirus

On May 6th, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted an event as part of the “Breakfasts with the European Parliament” cycle, a platform for meetings between Spanish companies and the European Parliament, on the “Priorities of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) in the context of the Coronavirus: A new recovery and reconstruction package for Europe?”. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Isabel Benjumea, Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Budgetary and Structural Policies and member of the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP), and Jonás Fernández, member of the ECON and also a member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament attended to the session. Given the exceptional circumstances of the expansion of COVID-19 in Belgium, this Breakfast-debate was held telematically and there were also representatives of member companies of the Spanish Chamber, managers of companies, multinational and, European and Spanish associations.

 

 

Pablo López Álvarez, Vice President of the Chamber and moderator of the event, introduced the speakers, thanked them for their participation and also acknowledged that of all other attendees. Before moving on to the speeches, the Vice President briefly referred to the current historical circumstances we are experiencing, and explained that this situation has undoubtedly compromised the short-term priorities and activity of the Eurogroup.

 

 

MEP Isabel Benjumea made a deep historical and geopolitical reflection on the current moment, which seems to announce a new crisis in economic and social terms. She remarked that this health crisis has highlighted the different social tensions that already existed and which generate a confrontation between northern and southern Europe. Isabel Benjumea also pointed out that the European Parliament was right to provide a solid response by providing immediate funding to meet the initial needs arising from this health crisis. In these circumstances, MP Benjumea added, the Parliament will discuss with the Commission and the Council the form and volume of the Community budget and the recovery fund for Europe. In addition, the parliamentary groups are facing the challenge of reflecting on and rethinking the European Union’s priorities in this new environment and accordingly proposing a budget.

 

Next, MEP Jonas Fernandez reflected on the lack of coordination between member countries at the beginning of the decision-making process. Herein, he noted that the Eurogroup succeeded in giving a series of common economic measures, and observed that each member state individually assumed the costs. Additionally, MP Fernández claimed that thanks to the second response of the European Central Bank (ECB), it has been possible to provide guarantees and resources to deal with the crisis and to avoid the massive closure of companies during the period of confinement. He emphasized that it is also necessary a broad economic recovery plan, preferably to be undertaken by European funds through Community transfers, to minimize the credit route. In the upcoming weeks, the MEP specified that the Commission must obtain a clear view of the size of the fund and the extent to which this debt could be backed by the markets, favoring the mechanism of grants over loans. Furthermore, it will continue to discuss the conditionality of the measures and the possibility of debt mutualization.

 

During the time for questions, the participants were able to inquire the speakers on many issues of their interest. Thereby, they covered topics such as the perception that different parliamentary groups have on political consensus, the expected characteristics of the recovery fund (volume, sectoral distribution and modalities) and other issues related to the possible inclusion or exclusion of the recovery fund within the multiannual budget of the European Parliament.

The Spanish Official Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg would like to thank the MEPs, Spanish companies and representatives of the European Parliament who participated in this Breakfast.

Breakfast-debate with MEPs Jordi Cañas and Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero: priorities of INTA committee

On April 8th, The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted the first event in the series “Breakfasts with the Eurocámara”, a meeting platform between Spanish companies and the European Parliament, on “The priorities of the International Trade Committee (INTA) for the new legislature” with the MEPs and members of the International Trade Committee (INTA) Jordi Cañas Pérez (Renew Europe) and Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero (S&D). Given the exceptional circumstances due to the spread of COVID-19 in Belgium, this breakfast debate was held online for the first time and was attended by representatives of member companies of the Chamber, business leaders, representatives of the Autonomous Communities and other organizations.

 

 

Pablo López Álvarez, Vice President of the Chamber and host of the event, began by making a presentation of the speakers, thanking them for their participation as well as to all the attendants. Before moving on to the speeches, he gave a brief introduction on the current historical situation we are experiencing and which, without doubt, has radically changed the EU’s trade agenda.

 

 

MEP Jordi Cañas began by making a deep historical and geopolitical reflection on the current context, which seems to announce a fall in commercial and economic terms unprecedented since the Second World War on the continent. This health crisis has highlighted the different social tensions that already existed and which generate rejection of international trade in certain social circles throughout the European Union. In addition, the INTA committee faces two major challenges. On the one side, the need to give a definitive resolution to Brexit and on the other hand, the need for negotiated solutions to transatlantic trade tensions. Under these circumstances, however, both the European project and the role of the EU as a global actor are more at stake than ever, and it is therefore worth reflecting on where we want to move forward as a union.

 

MEP Immaculada Rodríguez-Piñero first thanked the enormous effort that many Spanish companies are making to redirect their production towards the manufacture of vital medical products in these circumstances, providing gowns, masks, disinfectant gels and respirators. This current crisis undoubtedly highlights the need to reorganize the governance of globalization with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations to make it functional again and to serve as a means for negotiating resolutions of trade disputes. A strong reaction by the European Union to the imminent economic recession is also required, one that is truly solidary, without conditions, and one that revitalizes the European industrial network to avoid excessive dependence on certain products. As far as the priorities of the INTA Committee are concerned, some topics are frozen like the final resolution of Brexit, where greater transparency on the British side is missing, or the negotiations with the US for the negotiated solution of numerous problems that significantly affect the Spanish countryside and the investments of Spanish companies in Cuba as a result of the Airbus ruling.

During the Q&A session, the participants were able to ask the speakers on numerous issues of interest. Thus, various topics were discussed, such as the process of ratification of the trade agreement with MERCOSUR, which could represent an important precedent in the relations between the EU and Latin America, the complex situation faced by the naval sector, the European standards in sanitary products or the necessary visibility of the social economy also in trade agreements.

 

Luncheon-Debate with Rosa Aldea Busquets, Deputy Director of Directorate-General for Budget of the European Commission

On January 29, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a luncheon-debate with Rosa Aldea Busquets, Deputy Director-General for Budget of the European Commission. The event was attended by executives of Spanish companies, members of the Chamber and representatives of European organizations and regional delegations.

The Vice President of the Chamber, Pablo López Álvarez, opened the event by pointing out how important it is to organize a debate around the EU budget at this time, as a new round of negotiations will soon begin in order to approve the budget for the 2021-2027 period. The Vice President introduced the Deputy Director General highlighting her extensive curriculum and professional career within the EU.

Aldea dedicated her speech to inform of the budgetary developments proposed by the Commission and explained the main lines that will be discussed during the next negotiations, which will take place in February. Firstly, it is necessary to determine how much should be spent within the next 7 years, since, unlike a national budget, the budget of the European Commission is long-term, for it is dedicated to investment. Secondly, the priority areas must be decided, since the Commission is considering reducing resources dedicated to cohesion and agriculture policies in favor of new priorities, which are innovation, research, digital economy, youth, emigration and security. Thirdly, they deliberate how to finance these budgets: although the Commission’s will is to rely more on its own resources, it is not easy to find means of collection that do not fall on European taxpayers, as is the case with customs fees; even so, the latest Commission proposal is to tax the use of plastics and CO2 emissions. Lately, the principle of excellence as a requirement when granting subsidies is being questioned, as it is a barrier that has so far excluded less developed European countries from receiving aid for innovation. Finally, the last proposal that the Commission approved on January 15 will also be deliberated: the Just Transition Fund, an instrument that would help to economically and socially restructure countries based on the coal and fossil materials industry, with the ultimate aim of reaching, in 2050, a Europe free of these resources.

These are all key points whose disagreement -since unanimity is required-, together with the instability derived from Brexit, have caused a delay in budget execution. Aldea concluded her speech by emphasizing the problem that is that countries think at a national and non-European level; nevertheless, she transmitted the faith of David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, that the EU budget will finally be approved in the negotiations next month.

After the presentation, a round of questions began, where the participants could raise their opinions and questions about all these new budgetary proposals of the European Commission.

From the Chamber we would like to express our gratitude to Bodegas San Antonio Abad, whose wines could be tasted by all attendees, and the participants for this successful luncheon-debate.