Budućnost jedinstvenog tržišta i konkurentnost EU-a
Opinion factsheet
Na ovoj stranici
- Poduzetništvo i industrija
- Industrijska politika
- Single market
- Državne potpore i tržišno natjecanje
- Ekonomija i financije
- Investicijska politika
Opinion number:
CDR-2106-2024
Status:
Usvojeno
Objective
The CoR's opinion on The future of the Single Market and the EU's competitiveness is the Committee's response to the recently published reports by Enrico Letta (Much more than a market) and by Mario Draghi (The future of European competitiveness). Both reports lay the groundwork for the EU's single market and competitiveness policies during the upcoming mandate of the new European Commission. The opinion will therefore also convey the CoR's message to the new Commission on what the future of the single market and competitiveness should be.
It appears from Commission president von der Leyen's political guidelines and from her mission letters to the Commissioners designate that the single market and the EU's competitiveness will be a major focus of the new European Commission. This is also in line with recent Council conclusions on this matter, urging the Commission to take action.
The aforementioned policies are of utmost importance to regions and cities. They include updating competition policy, reducing single market barriers, fostering innovation, reforming cohesion (which is an integral part of the single market) etc.
It appears from Commission president von der Leyen's political guidelines and from her mission letters to the Commissioners designate that the single market and the EU's competitiveness will be a major focus of the new European Commission. This is also in line with recent Council conclusions on this matter, urging the Commission to take action.
The aforementioned policies are of utmost importance to regions and cities. They include updating competition policy, reducing single market barriers, fostering innovation, reforming cohesion (which is an integral part of the single market) etc.
Impact
On 29 January 2025, the rapporteur met with DG GROW's Deputy Director General Gambs to discuss the upcoming Single Market Strategy which is scheduled for publication at the end of May or the beginning of June.
The rapporteur and DDG Gambs exchanged views on the opinion and how it could contribute to the Strategy, in view of its focus on the removal of barriers for goods and services and cross-cutting sectorial approach.
Additionally, they touched upon the Commission's simplification efforts in which DG GROW is very involved, as this will have an important business and single market angle an the so called 28th regime. DG GROW's reflections on the latter are still very preliminary.
It was agreed to continue exchaning on these topics and keep each other informed on relevant updates.
On 26 September 2025, the EC issued its official follow-up to the opinion, outlining a number of initiatives that correspond to issues raised in the opinion. The CoR called for regions and cities to be recognised as central actors in competitiveness policy. In response, the Commission highlights a renewed cohesion and growth policy, a new policy agenda for cities, and stronger alignment with regional needs.
On innovation and the Single Market, the CoR recommended tackling remaining barriers and supporting SMEs. The Commission’s Competitiveness Compass and forthcoming Single Market Strategy reflect these themes, focusing on simplification, access to finance, skills, and better enforcement of existing rules.
The CoR also pointed to the importance of industrial policy, clean technologies, and fair competition. The Commission follow-up highlights the Clean Industrial Deal, an Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, and a Circular Economy Act, which address clean energy, industrial resilience, and resource productivity.
Finally, on skills and research, the CoR emphasised the need for investment in human capital and innovation. The Commission proposes a Union of Skills, a European Research Area Act, and a new Competitiveness Fund, as well as measures to support start-ups, scale-ups, and digital skills development.
The rapporteur and DDG Gambs exchanged views on the opinion and how it could contribute to the Strategy, in view of its focus on the removal of barriers for goods and services and cross-cutting sectorial approach.
Additionally, they touched upon the Commission's simplification efforts in which DG GROW is very involved, as this will have an important business and single market angle an the so called 28th regime. DG GROW's reflections on the latter are still very preliminary.
It was agreed to continue exchaning on these topics and keep each other informed on relevant updates.
On 26 September 2025, the EC issued its official follow-up to the opinion, outlining a number of initiatives that correspond to issues raised in the opinion. The CoR called for regions and cities to be recognised as central actors in competitiveness policy. In response, the Commission highlights a renewed cohesion and growth policy, a new policy agenda for cities, and stronger alignment with regional needs.
On innovation and the Single Market, the CoR recommended tackling remaining barriers and supporting SMEs. The Commission’s Competitiveness Compass and forthcoming Single Market Strategy reflect these themes, focusing on simplification, access to finance, skills, and better enforcement of existing rules.
The CoR also pointed to the importance of industrial policy, clean technologies, and fair competition. The Commission follow-up highlights the Clean Industrial Deal, an Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, and a Circular Economy Act, which address clean energy, industrial resilience, and resource productivity.
Finally, on skills and research, the CoR emphasised the need for investment in human capital and innovation. The Commission proposes a Union of Skills, a European Research Area Act, and a new Competitiveness Fund, as well as measures to support start-ups, scale-ups, and digital skills development.
Essential points
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (CoR)
asserts that the EU must lead in crucial technologies in order to position itself as a global front-runner when it comes to innovation, productivity, and decarbonisation of pivotal technological fields; therefore, applauds Draghi’s bold vision, particularly the ambition of strengthening the EU’s role in key global industries;
recommends strengthening early collaboration with private companies in the innovation process to speed up the development and market introduction of new technologies; suggests adapting financing systems and creating new financial instruments to foster the growth of scale ups and future ‘European champions’, including support for Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) and Eureka initiatives;
proposes a balanced trade-off where the EU’s institutions focus on ensuring fair competition, establishing firm regulations, and making significant investments to enhance European competitiveness, while regions and cities pledge to take responsibility for implementation; adds that this approach would foster shared responsibility and collaboration across levels of governance; calls upon the Member States to join this pledge of the regions and cities;
emphasises the importance of focusing on control points of the global economy, therefore prioritising technologies such as (next generation) semiconductors and artificial intelligence, as well as innovations from industries where Europe has particular strengths such as clean technologies, the automotive and pharma sectors, which are essential for Europe’s global leadership, rather than diluting its impact by spreading resources across a wider array of technologies;
urges the European Commission to dedicate more of its resources to the systematic removal of single market barriers and enforcement of single market rules;
welcomes the Draghi report’s strong references to subsidiarity as a tool to lighten the regulatory burden on entrepreneurs and small businesses, and to the ‘active’ exercise of this EU principle.