Anhörung im Europäischen Parlament mit dem designierten Kommissar Günter Verheugen

Dieser Bericht des European Policy Centre (EPC) fasst die
Anhörung des erfahrenen EU-Kommissars im EP-Ausschuss
für Industrie, Außenhandel, Forschung und Energie
vom 30.September 2004 zusammen. Günter Verheugen
überzeugte die Abgeordneten von seinem Engagement
für eine „strategische Richtungsänderung“
in Europa, indem er mit den Regierungen der Mitgliedstaaten
eng zusammenarbeiten würde, um die Lissabon-Agenda
zu einem Erfolg zu machen.

Günter Verheugen, current Enlargement
Commissioner and the Commissioner Designate for
enterprise and industry, called for a
“strategic change of direction” to
make Europe “the world’s leading
economy.” He said that the main objective
of the incoming Commission was to strengthen
and consolidate the economic base, through
competitiveness, cohesion and enhancing the
quality of life for Europe’s citizens. For
this to happen the Lisbon Agenda needed to be
reinvigorated and become the main endeavour, as
it has not yet had a real impact on the
society.

He reminded MEPs that the EU institutions
could not do this alone; national governments
needed to be much more engaged in the process.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in
the European economy. The state of SMEs would
be a priority under his mandate, fostering a
more competitive and innovative climate, 
bearing in mind their vulnerability. Finally,
Mr Verheugen observed the necessity to create a
much more innovative environment in the EU, as
a crucial tool to raising competitiveness and
attaining a more robust economy.

Competitiveness

Mr Verheugen explained that when he was
chosen for his new position by Commission
President Designate Barroso, he had been
explicitly charged with addressing the
challenge of Europe’s competitiveness
agenda – perhaps the number one goal of the
upcoming Commission. He underlined that every
proposal from the European Commission would
have to pass the competitiveness test: a proper
assessment on the validity of each measure to
the final achievement of higher levels of
competitiveness in the Union. 

Responding to 
Patrizia Toia

(ALDE), he underlined the need for a closer
link between industry and innovation , where EU
business is particularly weak. In this sense,
further investment in R&D and, especially,
a strengthened link between R&D and product
development will need a strong push. Responding
to a question from 
Jerzy Buzek

(EPP), he highlighted the relevance of the
Competitiveness and Innovation programme, that
will be presented shortly and that will bring
together different policy areas closely related
to competitiveness. Mr Verheugen also stressed
the importance of reinforcing the collaboration
between academia and business, however, he
reminded MEPs that the competences of the
European Commission in this respect are rather
limited.

The Lisbon Agenda

Responding to a question from 
Reino Paasilinna

(PES), the Commissioner observed that Lisbon is
not only about regulation. It is a process that
addressed European values and should develop a
comprehensive view towards reform in the EU.
One of the fundamental prerequisites is to have
a solid and sound business sector across Europe
that promotes higher productivity, keeps people
motivated at work and promotes the active
participation of all the stakeholders. 
Gunnar Hökmark

(EPP-ED) inquired about the weaknesses of the
Lisbon process. Mr Verheugen responded that
while much could be done by the stakeholders,
external factors and their negative impact
should not be forgotten. The rise in oil prices
or efforts made in the fight against terrorism
had an effect on the success of certain
policies. Having said that, he acknowledged the
existence of internal shortcomings that had to
be adequately addressed, including low
productivity, poor levels of innovation and the
need for further use of new technologies,
etc. 

Responding to 
Pervenche Beres

(PES) about the complexity of objectives and
measures in Lisbon, the Commissioner Designate
pointed out that it may be helpful to translate
all current targets and instruments into
concise and measurable national action plans.
National governments had to play a much more
active role and find a way to reach out to
their citizens to help them understand the
importance of this project. 

Keeping the balance

The most recurrent question by MEPs focussed
on the role that both social policies and the
sustainable development agenda would play
achieving competitiveness. Stressing that his
job is to make sure that competitiveness is
taken into account, Mr. Verheugen underlined
that this could only be achieved through a
balanced approach between the economic, social
and environmental pillars. Responding to a
question from 
Paul Rübig

(EPP), the Commissioner agreed that improving
horizontal coordination between the different
DGs and Services would greatly benefit these
plans and stressed that this was something that
the current Commission has already largely
realized. 

Reino Paasilinna

(PES) and 
Rebecca Harms’

(Greens/EFA) questions led the Commissioner
Designate to stress that there was no
contradiction between the objectives and the
agendas pursued. On the contrary, introducing
new, more efficient and environmentally
friendly technology will lead to better
products, contribute to higher standards and
increase competitiveness, which is precisely
what the European Commission wanted to promote.
Sustainability is the overarching priority, he
said, noting that there was no hierarchy
between the pillars. The EU was able to strike
a balance between all three. REACH was a
practical example of a policy measure that had
sought for an equilibrium between
competitiveness, social issues and sustainable
development. Nevertheless, he added, he would
not shy away from making improvements where
they were necessary. 

Regarding 
Kyoto

, Mr Verheugen reminded the audience that this
was not his portfolio, but acknowledged
nonetheless that there was “still plenty
to do.” If the Kyoto Protocol was enforced
worldwide it would be a major breakthrough for
humanity, he said. The EU must comply,
regardless of what others do, and must also
promote the use of more market-based tools to
protect the environment.

Overall assessment

Backed by his success as Commissioner of
Enlargement, Mr Verheugen appeared confident in
taking responsibility for a portfolio crucial
to the incoming Commission. Charged with
overseeing both the implementation and
coordination of the Competitiveness Agenda and
the simultaneous development of the Lisbon
process, he will address areas in which he has
had no direct experience for some time. Still,
he showed a great command of the current state
of affairs and responded comfortably and
convincingly to a wide array of issues ranging
from the Kyoto Protocol and REACH to corporate
taxation and concrete measures to benefit SMEs.
In addition, his stance on perhaps the most
challenging questions regarding the equilibrium
between the economic, social and environmental
pillars in the implementation of the
competitiveness agenda was well taken.

This report was prepared by 
Carlos Buhigas-Schubert

, 
EPC Policy Analyst.