Translated using ChatGPT service.
On November 28, the European Union Competitiveness Council meeting took place in Brussels, Belgium, where EU member state representatives discussed the future of European competitiveness and opportunities for better regulation. Latvia was represented by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economics, Jurģis Miezainis.
During the meeting, the Council approved the Presidency’s conclusions on the future of European competitiveness. Latvia highly values the recommendations and proposals outlined in the conclusions for strengthening EU competitiveness, as this aligns with the common interests of all member states. It is commendable that the new European Commission has made competitiveness promotion a top horizontal priority.
“From Latvia’s perspective, it is necessary to emphasize the military and defense sector more strongly. Given the current geopolitical challenges, strengthening this sector through targeted support for research, innovation, and production is essential for the EU’s security and strategic autonomy,” stated Jurģis Miezainis during his address to the meeting participants.
Latvia also prioritizes bioeconomy and biotechnology to reduce dependence on external resources, foster innovation in the sustainable energy transition, and strengthen EU competitiveness through targeted funding and collaborative research. A clear and simple regulatory framework, low energy costs, and improved access to financing—particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the backbone of EU industry—are critical for enhancing the EU's overall economic resilience.
In the discussion on Better Regulation, Jurģis Miezainis emphasized:
"We especially stress the need to strengthen the EU Single Market by removing barriers, particularly in the services sector, and harmonizing national requirements to boost competitiveness. Supporting SMEs in meeting sustainability requirements and implementing the ‘one in, one out’ principle in legislation, supplemented by AI-driven impact assessments, will be key tools for smarter and more sustainable EU regulation."
From an industrial perspective, Latvia underscores the importance of EU legislation being adaptable to innovation and global changes. Technological neutrality in EU legislation is essential, while maintaining balance among environmental, consumer, labor, public health, safety, and security objectives. Moreover, EU legislation must be evidence-based, transparent, inclusive, and rational to minimize unnecessary burdens. Latvia strongly supports the initiative to reduce administrative burdens.
“Reducing bureaucracy should happen not only on paper but also in practice. The implementation of the Commission’s proposal to reduce reporting requirements by 25%, especially for SMEs, is highly anticipated,” Miezainis added.
Additionally, the future development of the automotive industry is significant for both Europe and Latvia, as it is crucial for strengthening security and defense capabilities.