Madrid, 2 June 2023 - 'We have drawn attention to the need for Europe to adopt a common industrial policy and abandon the dirigiste approach taken on some measures, such as those on automotive and packaging'. This was the comment of the president of Confindustria Carlo Bonomi at the ongoing Copres Business Europe in Madrid. The association of European industries, made up of 40 European industrial federations, met in Spain at the invitation of CEOE, the Confederation of Spanish Entrepreneurs, in view of the Iberian government's assumption of the rotating presidency of the EU. "All countries are in full agreement on the principle of technological neutrality in order to deal with the current transitions," Bonomi clarified. Moreover, in view of the 2024 European elections, European industrialists believe it is necessary for the EU to position itself as an industrial continent, to govern environmental and digital transitions properly and on time, and to commit to greater autonomy on raw materials and key technologies, including rare earths, semiconductors and solar panels, and artificial intelligence. It is crucial,' added the leader of the Italian industrialists, 'to enable energy supply at competitive prices and, in this sense, the EU must equip itself with an electricity market with long-term investments because the future of our manufacturing will be played out on these challenges. Among the topics at the centre of the meeting between the European Confindustrias was also the new Stability and Growth Pact, which, according to Carlo Bonomi, 'it is crucial that it safeguards and encourages investment'.