7
May
2025
Watch
Competition policy – annual report 2024 (debate)
Mr President, Madam Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen! First of all, I would like to thank the rapporteur for the good cooperation on the annual report on competition policy. This annual report is special this year because its geopolitical context makes it special. Globally, jointly developed rules are being challenged, artificial intelligence systems are questioning established certainties, and even in some Western states, unpredictability and uncertainty are becoming a principle. However, we are not afraid of this in Europe, because we are sure: This creates new opportunities for Europe. A reliable competition policy, Madam Vice-President, benefits consumers worldwide, and innovation can emerge where markets are not blocked by dominant players. The nervousness in the markets puts Europe in the role of a net winner, because many talented employees and other investments are coming to Europe these days because they appreciate the strength and stability of our institutions. The Competition Report therefore rightly points out that competition law must also meet the growing complexity of global competition. Improving the competitiveness of the European Union is a policy task at national and European level. Because we want to secure Europe's place in global competition. For this, we need courage and at the same time investment incentives for new technologies. The enforcement of competition law, on the other hand, is the task of the EU Commission as an authority that must continue to enforce robust rules of the game for fair competition, especially in the digital environment. That is why the recent attacks on the DMA, on the Digital Markets Act, are a danger that we must face together with a very convincing and convincing application of our common law.