France's Bruno Le Maire, Germany's Robert Habeck, and Italy's Adolfo Urso convened to strategize on advancing green and digital technologies within the EU. This discussion aimed to bolster technological leadership, productivity, competitiveness, and economic growth in Europe, aligning with the European Council's Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029.

Emphasizing urgency amidst economic challenges and global crises, they outlined plans to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles -particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) -boost private and public investment, and secure strategic autonomy in critical sectors, including quantum computing, semi-conductors, robotics, biotechnologies, space, and aero-nautics. They aim to maintain Europe's industrial prowess by supporting SMEs, entrepreneurs, and researchers, ensuring access to talent, innovation, and cutting-edge technology.

The ministers committed to building upon the Green Deal and Green Deal Industrial Plan to drive ambitious growth over the next five years, advancing the green and digital transitions with a resilient economic foundation.

Why does it matter?

This commitment is significant as the European Union faces challenges transitioning to a greener and more digital economy due to budget cuts that have weakened public administrations, as recently stated by the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. Despite new laws to expedite permits for clean tech projects, limited resources hinder administrations' ability to effectively adapt and implement green and digital initiatives.