23
Apr
2024
Watch
Conclusions of the recent European Council meetings, in particular on a new European Competitiveness deal and the EU strategic agenda 2024-2029 (debate)
Madam President! The Commission’s February 2024 annual report on EU competitiveness addresses many relevant factors and challenges. Therefore, energy is mentioned 43 times, critical raw materials 16 times, semiconductors 2 times and hydrogen also 2 times. Water is not mentioned at all. Despite the fact that in several parts of the EU we are feeling painfully how floods or droughts are knocking off the feet of citizens, farmers and businesses. Water is in every industry in the EU, but in the Commission's way of looking at competitiveness, not at all. The intellectual water level in the Commission cannot be so low that it does not consider that by 2050 almost 20% of Europe's inhabitants will be negatively affected by water shortages. A water shortage that, if we don't do something, will tear us apart in fights and wars over who should take the bill and who should have the water that is first and in front of everyone else if we don't do something. Fortunately, Letta's report on competitiveness proposes that we, as we have just got on the table, get a New European Water Framework. Yes, please. Many in this House have long and together with European civil society called for an ‘EU Blue Deal’. Exactly the same as Letta now does. Step up now! Commission. Throw yourself into the deep water with the rest of us. Otherwise, the EU's competitiveness will die from drought.