To define an ambitious multiannual financial framework that, together with a leaner and more flexible cohesion policy, would enhance investments in housing and in research and innovation; to allocate new common EU funds for large joint investment projects between the Member States; to reduce the regulatory complexity for European companies, with particular attention to public procurement; to intervene with more decisive measures to reduce energy prices, fostering the integration of the European market. These are the cornerstones of the first Joint Declaration signed by Confindustria and CEOE, the Spanish Confindustria, on the occasion of the second bilateral meeting between Italian and Iberian industrialists.

A two-day event that for the Italian and Spanish Confindustrias was an opportunity to reaffirm their common vision on the economic and social future of the European Union, emphasising the urgent need to quickly adopt the new plan to boost European competitiveness announced by President-elect Ursula von der Leyen, together with the 'Clean Industrial Deal', which must be consistent with the investments needed for Europe's development and progress.

For this, it is necessary to put in place stronger measures to mitigate energy costspromote energy market integration and interconnections and speed up authorisation procedures. The competitiveness gap between Europe and the rest of the world must also be closed in relation to the cost of CO2, ensuring fair competition rules also on international markets.

But such an ambitious new industrial strategy can only be achieved by strengthening the Single Market, with a effective 'Better Regulation' plan to reduce the complexity of doing business in Europeby removing current barriers and implementing the application of existing rules. Public procurement, in this context, should become an effective tool to promote innovation, sustainability and European competitiveness, avoiding race to the bottom and procurement procedures in-house.

All this requires a European budget that promotes public and private investment. The EU must adopt an ambitious Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) that boosts investment, including adequate resources for research and innovation and for a cohesion policy which currently needs a leaner and more flexible regulatory framework to achieve its long-term goals. The new European Housing Plan will have to be integrated into these objectives, supporting the sectors involved in their transition processes while meeting the housing needs of families and workers across Europe.

As Mario Draghi pointed out in his report, the European Union needs EUR 800 billion per year in funding to meet the challenges of competitiveness. These are common European resources are needed, such as a new common European debt asset, to enable large joint investment projects between Member States. In this context, we support the call for a Competitiveness Fund supporting private sector efforts in transitions, while ensuring a level playing field within the Single Market.

The investment objectives will only be achieved by strengthening the Banking Union and deepening the Capital Market Union, building the Savings and Investments Union' proposed by Enrico Letta in his Report. In addition, we need ensure the efficient use of 'NextGenerationEU' funds in the last phase of its implementation and consider extending the deadline of August 2026.

The new strategy to boost European competitiveness must include an ambitious trade policy that strikes the right balance between openness and ensuring a level playing field for European companies. We strongly support the finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement with Mercosur and other ongoing bilateral negotiations.

La public-private cooperation will be crucial to guide this strategic path and Italian and Spanish companies are ready to play their role as social partners, pledging to be part of the solution to the current challenges. A deeper dialogue with the private sector is imperative for both the design and implementation of these policies, and the strengthening of this collaborative framework will help ensure the success of European integration.

"The biggest challenge we face is to close the competitiveness gap in the European Union. We need to regain attractiveness and confidence, which is a necessary precondition for investment' - said the President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini. " With today's signature, although we are aware that Italy is ahead of everyone in implementing the plan - added Orsini - Together with Spanish companies, we demand a more effective use of the funds and an extension of the PNRR deadline, currently set for August 2026. The policy needs a clear message. We cannot wait too long. We must put the industry in a position to be able to structure itself'.

During the meetingCEOE President Antonio Garamendi emphasised: "Both organisations have the need and the opportunity to go hand in hand in building the future EU, to make it a competitive business environment, with leadership in issues such as innovation or sustainability. We remain strongly committed to the green agenda, which is why now is the time to make it work. A permanent dialogue with business is essential to support a transition that does not reduce their competitiveness and to deepen public-private collaboration. This meeting - explained Garamendi - served CEOE and Confindustria to take a further step forward in the work of cooperation and promotion of business interests in both countries that we were already developing. I hope to continue strengthening these relations in the third bilateral meeting to be held in Madrid in 2025".

CEOE and Confindustria will continue to work together, and with BusinessEurope, on the issues discussed in the Joint Declaration.