The visit to Madrid by the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, which began the previous day with a meeting with the Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, concluded on January 10, when the Commissioner and the Minister discussed about the European space policy and other strategic issues.
Afterwards, in a working lunch with the First Vice-President and Minister of Economy and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño, the Commissioner analyzed the necessary measures to preserve European competitiveness. Breton and Calviño appeared before the media, at which time the Commissioner for the Internal Market highlighted the following: ” Together with Vice-President Calviño we have addressed many issues, from the economic situation in the EU, the geopolitical situation and of course the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. I have emphasized that the EU cannot stand still in the face of measures taken by countries such as China and the US, and that we must act to attract industrial capacity to Europe. We have the obligation to act to protect our industries and jobs in Europe. Our action will target, in particular, cleantech industries, such as batteries, wind energy, solar panel production and hydrogen.
Later on, Commissioner Breton held meetings with the Minister of Industry, Reyes Maroto, and with the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, with whom he discussed European cyber defense and space strategies. Breton concluded the day with a meeting with the Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera. Along with her, he discussed, among other issues, the impact of the energy crisis on industry and the preparation of a new European law on raw materials.
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The Commissioner spoke on January 10 at the event organized by the New Economy Forum, where he stated that “What the Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown, once again, is that in times of crisis the EU is not getting weaker, but stronger. The European response to challenges such as vaccines, energy and defense delivered more solidarity and more unity. Together we are building a stronger Europe”.
After this speech, the Commissioner visited Iberdrola’s innovation and training campus, where he met with Ignacio Sánchez Galán, Iberdrola’s Executive Chairman. This visit focused on the deployment of renewable energies and how to improve the conditions for investment and boost competitiveness and productivity in Europe.
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This visit was followed by a meeting with the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez. With him, he discussed the European response to the Inflation Reduction Act adopted in the US, and the priorities of the Spanish Presidency, which begins in the second half of 2023. Commissioner Breton stressed the need to preserve industrial capacity in the EU and all the achievements of the European single market.
Commissioner Breton closed his visit with a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, with whom he also discussed the geopolitical situation and the priorities for the Spanish Presidency.
Source: Representación de la Comisión Europea en España
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