8
Oct
2024
Watch
Preparation of the European Council of 17-18 October 2024 (debate)
Mr President, Vice-President Šefčovič, we are discussing the competitiveness of European industry and I would like to draw your attention today to the situation of the steel industry in the European Union economy. We have lost more than 20 million tonnes of steel capacity in the steel industry in the European Union in recent years, for two reasons: 1. energy prices, which had an absolutely unacceptable fluctuation. The difference in one year between the minimum and maximum price was 65% in 2022, and this difference increased by a further 15% in 2023. No one can make a business plan or survive when there is such volatility, and I believe that this measure of intervening quickly in the electricity market and decoupling the price of electricity from gas is an emergency. And secondly, imports from outside the European Union: we import steel that is not subject to duties, nor to carbon dioxide, nor to other duties, and obviously the steel industry in the European Union is uncompetitive. If we do not take these measures to correct this situation immediately, unfortunately, we will lose an industry and jobs that will seriously affect the economy, and tens and hundreds of thousands of employees.