Draghi presents the competitiveness report: unprecedented reforms for the European Union
Mario Draghi presented his report on the competitiveness of the European economy, highlighting the need for institutional reforms and cooperation between member states to tackle structural brakes on competitiveness. The report, which will be officially published next week, could become the policy agenda of the new European legislature
from our correspondent Beda Romano
3' min read
3' min read
BRUSSELS - Commissioned a year ago, the long-awaited report prepared by Mario Draghi on the future of the competitiveness of the European economy is now in the home straight. The former president of the European Central Bank presented it both to diplomatic representatives of the member states and to parliamentary group leaders. According to information gathered in Brussels, the economist emphasised the urgency for the institutions to cooperate with each other and the need to think about possible institutional reforms.
The entourage of the former Prime Minister explained that in front of his interlocutors Mario Draghi once again emphasised the structural brakes that have stifled European competitiveness in recent decades: the lagging innovation capacity, rising energy prices, the lack of skilled labour, the need to rapidly accelerate the digitisation process and to urgently strengthen Europe's common defence capabilities.
According to some officials present, the economist explained the structure of the report to the representatives of the Twenty-Seven. The main topics are productivity, the reduction of possible dependence on third countries, the environment, social inclusion, and specific prescriptions for the most important sectors of the economy. Mario Draghi emphasised the urgency of finding compromises between investments and debt, between industrial policy and free competition, between climate urgency and economic activity.
The former premier also emphasised the institutional factor. "In his conclusions," explained a diplomat, "President Draghi emphasised the need for unprecedented cooperation between member states as well as an all-encompassing reform of all institutions so as to adopt the recommendations of his report. Other officials present confirmed that the economist indirectly alluded to institutional reforms, including of the Commission itself.
According to parliamentary representatives, the former central banker was convinced that 'the European Parliament should be the focal point of this effort, as MEPs are closer to the people and to Europe than anyone else'. In fact, the two presentations yesterday were mainly about the problems to be solved. The economist remained park as to proposals for solutions, a topic he will only address when the report is officially published.
