Debate: Commission Work Programme
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Maroš Šefčovič
Language: EN

As you know, in the first 100 days of this Commission’s mandate, we set out our vision for the future and our proposed actions, notably to prepare our societies and economies for socially fair, green and digital transitions. Not long after, Europe and the world were blindsided by the COVID-19 pandemic and, together with this House and the Member States in the Council, we have taken forceful action to limit the health-related, social and economic effects of the crisis. Now, with our continent tormented by a second wave of infections, we can see more clearly than ever the magnitude of the challenge we are facing. The pandemic has sharpened the need to strengthen Europe’s long-term resilience, while we remain fully committed to our overarching ambition to lead twin green and digital transitions. It is in this context that we have drawn up the 2021 work programme. It shows how we plan to move beyond the fragility caused by the crisis, to seize the opportunity in front of us and to revitalise the European Union.  This year’s action, as well as the preparation of this work, was a joint exercise. A key institutional step in the process was the meeting between the Conference of Committee Chairs of this House and the Vice-Presidents of the Commission. This exchange offered an excellent opportunity for an in-depth discussion of our priorities and expectations. Before that, the discussions of the Conference of Presidents with President von der Leyen contributed to defining the priority initiatives for 2021, which have already been announced in the letter of intent. Let me assure you that our priority is to maintain the special partnership throughout the entire policy cycle.  The 2021 work programme marks a clear shift from strategy to delivery, with an emphasis on new legislative initiatives in Annex 1 and revisions to existing legislation in Annex 2, which stem from commitments made in the strategies adopted in the first year of the mandate. The Commission aims to deliver not only on the recovery, but also on strengthening our long-term resilience. For this reason, the narrative refers to the first strategic foresight report, which focused on resilience, and underlines that the initiatives we will put on the table will be guided by strategic foresight. This means that we consider not only what is needed to recover today, but also what is required to build a better tomorrow. Let me give you a few examples of the key initiatives planned for 2021.  Thanks to Next Generation EU, the historic recovery plan we presented, together with the revamped long-term budget, Europe has a ready-made tool to seize this opportunity. To repay the funds raised under the Next Generation EU, the Commission will put forward proposals for new own resources, starting with a revised emissions trading system, a carbon border adjustment mechanism and the digital levy. To achieve a climate neutral Europe by 2050, we have set out many of the measures that we will table as a part of the ‘fit for 55’ package. You will see the different proposals, ranging from renewables to energy efficiency. We will follow this up with a host of initiatives to implement the EU circular economy action plan, the EU biodiversity strategy and the farm to fork strategy.  To make this Europe’s digital decade, we will come forward with a roadmap of clearly defined 2030 digital goals, related to connectivity, skills and digital public services. We will also ensure the follow-up to the white paper on artificial intelligence, and we will draw lessons from the pandemic with a new industrial strategy for Europe and a legislative proposal to improve the working conditions of platform workers.  In order to mitigate the social crisis, we will put forward an ambitious action plan to fully implement the European Pillar of Social Rights, making sure that no one is left behind in Europe’s recovery. Another important initiative will be the new European child guarantee scheme, notably ensuring access to basic services like health and education for all children. To support our economies and strengthen the economic and monetary union, we will revise the framework for handling EU bank failures, take measures to boost cross-border investment in the EU and step up the fight against money laundering. Throughout next year, our geopolitical Commission will ensure that Europe continues to play a vital role in our fragile world, including by leading the global efforts to secure a safe and accessible vaccine for all. In addition, we will propose, not only the trade policy review, but also a joint communication on strengthening the EU’s contribution to rules-based multilateralism, among other key initiatives designed to create a stronger Europe in the world. In the face of COVID-19, the Commission proposes building a stronger European health union, including through the creation of a new agency for biomedical advanced research and development. To preserve and improve its functioning, a new strategy for the future of Schengen will be tabled, together with a number of measures on legal migration. We will continue the implementation of the security union and will set out a comprehensive strategy on combating anti-Semitism.  Finally, many initiatives will fall under the push for European democracy, including new strategies on the rights of the child and for persons with disabilities, as well as a proposal to combat gender-based violence. The Commission will, among other things, propose clearer rules on the financing of European political parties and take action to protect journalists and civil society against abusive litigation. A long-term vision for rural areas will propose actions to harness the full potential of these regions. To make sure everyone can have their say, we also stress that it is now more important than ever that we launch the Conference on the Future of Europe.  It is clear that the coming year will be a busy one for policymaking in very difficult circumstances. Given that this work programme is focused on delivery, we must therefore be fully committed to our better regulation, better law-making agenda. In the coming weeks, we will put forward a new better regulation communication to offer a renewed focus on consultation, impact assessment, simplification and border reduction. In total, we are announcing 86 flagship initiatives this year, grouped under 44 policy objectives or packages. Under the regulatory fitness and performance programme (REFIT), we have proposed 43 significant pieces of legislation for evaluation or revision. To close, let me underline that bringing all our ambitions to life will require a team effort among all institutions. In this respect, let me highlight the importance of the joint declaration on legislative priorities to be endorsed by the presidents of the three institutions. It will serve as a concrete roadmap for our joint work and, in parallel, we will engage in the first ever multiannual programming to capture our common strategic priorities for Europe. Thank you very much for your attention and for your great cooperation in preparing the Commission’s work programme. I am really looking forward to your questions and comments.