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Minister Niedużak at the meeting of the COMPET Council: we must support the EU’s strategic autonomy

22.03.2021

'The strategic autonomy policy opens the way to the reconstruction, reinforcement of competitiveness and resilience of European economy after the pandemic,’ said the Vice-Minister of Development, Labour and Technology Marek Niedużak during the Monday meeting of the EU’s COMPET Competitiveness Council. The participants agreed that the unified market without barriers, particularly in cross-border traffic and services, is one of the instruments to achieve the strategic autonomy of the EU’s economy.

EU’s strategic autonomy creative colorful poster

The video conference was joined, e.g., by Portugal’s Minister of Economy and Digital Transition Pedro Siza Vieira, whose homeland has held 6-month presidency in the EU since 1st January 2021, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager and the European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton.

The competitiveness and resilience of European economy can be reinforced only through our joint action

- said Deputy Minister Niedużak.

The Deputy Minister of Development, Labour and Technology stressed the importance of reinforcing strategic sectors of economy.

Building the EU’s own industrial potential should become our priority. These sectors include pharmaceuticals, photovoltaics, hydrogen, batteries and the defence industry. We must build the potential of green and digital transformation on the basis of local technologies and production

- he said.

The minister stressed that the new industrial policy should be based on reduced or transferred stable and crisis-resistant supply chains within the EU.

In his opinion, the EU needs new instruments that would enable EU enterprises to compete with entities from third parties on equal terms.

However, the protective aspect of strategic autonomy, which encompasses equal opportunities in terms of foreign subsidies, should not restrain the EU’s ambitions in its commercial policy towards third countries. Economic and trade relations support growth and innovations and broaden the choice for consumers in the EU

- argued the minister.

We must utilise the potential of IPCEI. The goal is to improve the EU’s innovativeness towards our non-EU partners and to support strategic EU autonomy

- he stressed. Deputy Minister Niedużak stressed also the need to reinforce the EU’s digital autonomy primarily in the context of cybersecurity development.

COMPET Competitiveness Council


The Competitiveness Council is responsible for increasing competitiveness and growth in the European Union in the following areas:

  • internal market,
  • industry,
  • innovative research,
  • outer space.

Depending on the topic of meetings, the forum of the Council is attended by ministers from all member states responsible for economy, trade, industry, research and innovation or outer space. Relevant European commissioners also take part in its meetings. Meetings of the Council are held at least 4 times per annum.

Priorities of Portuguese presidency


The Portuguese presidency, which commenced on 1st January 2021, should focus on actions aimed at building the innovative EU based on values: solidarity, convergence and cohesion. Portugal wants to focus on five areas corresponding to goals of the EU’s strategic program:

  • improving the resilience of the EU’s economy,
  • promoting trust in the European social model,
  • promoting sustainable reconstruction,
  • accelerating fair and inclusive digital transformation,
  • confirming the EU’s role in the world based on openness and multilateralism.
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