European Commission
MEMO
Brussels, 30 July 2012
Commission starts a dialogue on the competitiveness of the European steel industry
Steel is one of the sectors that have been hit the hardest by the economic crisis and it has been strongly exposed to international competition. Currently, the economic slowdown and relatively weak demand for steel in Europe results in overcapacity. For this reason, European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, announced today in Brussels, that he is organising a roundtable discussion which is expected to deliver concrete recommendations to the European Commission and to the companies concerned on how to maintain the competitiveness of the steel sector on the global market in a long-term perspective.
Vice President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship said: "I consider the steel sector to be of strategic importance for Europe's future economy and I intend to take all the necessary steps to foster innovation, growth and employment within this sector. My objective is to have a forum where vital issues for the competitiveness of the European steel sector can be debated and where new market opportunities openly discussed.”
Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, László Andor said: "A sustainable European steel industry needs a competitive workforce, which requires constant investment in human capital, and an effective social dialogue to ensure that the human costs of restructuring are kept to a minimum."
The Roundtable will be chaired by Vice-President Tajani in close co-operation with the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, László Andor, CEOs of leading European steel companies, Trade Unions and the European Steel Industry Association (EUROFER). Key policy issues affecting the competitiveness of the EU steel industry in the light of the current economic situation will be discussed. Participants will also exchange views on new market opportunities for steel, stemming from product innovation and the use of advanced steel in both traditional and technology-based industries (i.e. construction and renewable energy). These recommendations could then feed into an action plan for a renewed EU strategy to help the European steel industry face today's challenges.
The meeting taking place today follows the one Vice President Tajani had two weeks ago with the President of the Commission for Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament, Pervenche Berès. Vice President Tajani also presented the steel initiative to the Cyprius Presidency, which is ready to cooperate.
