The green transition and reinforcing the EU single market was the focus of talks among EU competitiveness ministers on February 7, 2023 in Stockholm PHOTO AFP sTOCKHOLM The green transition and reinforcing the EU single market were the focus of talks among EU competitiveness ministers on Tuesday in Stockholm.
Johan Forssell, Swedish minister for international development cooperation and foreign trade, said that depressed economic performance, Russia-Ukraine conflict, energy crisis, rising inflation and climate change are all affecting businesses in the EU.
It's important to develop the single market and drive the green transition forward to strengthen long-term competitiveness, according to Forssell.
The EU single market celebrates its 30th anniversary in January 2023. Over the years, many technical, legal and administrative barriers to free trade and movement between EU member states have been removed. The Swedish Presidency of the EU CouncilEU Council says there are still a number of unjustified barriers for companies and individuals.
At the meeting on Tuesday, ministers discussed how short-term measures such as those taken due to the energy crisis could strengthen EU competitiveness in the long-term.
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The three-day informal meeting of EU competitiveness ministers kicked off on Monday, chaired by the Swedish Presidency. Research issues will be the focus of the second part of the meeting on Wednesday.