The Commission for Economic Affairs held its 17th meeting in Brussels on 23 January 2018.
In the beginning the ECON Commission adopted the action plan with the EIB after a lively discussion with Mr
Werner SCHMIDT, Director for Environment and Sustainable Territorial Development, EIB, who delivered a statement to the ECON commission regarding the work of the EIB in support of economic, territorial and social cohesion as well as concerning the fruitful cooperation between the bank and the CoR. In the debate members raised a number of points related, among others, to the European Fund for Strategic Investments, the EIB's advisory services, and its support for SMEs.
Then the ECON Commission adopted the draft Opinion on a European strategy for industry: the role and perspective of regional and local authorities presented by the rapporteur
Heinz LEHMANN (DE/EPP). Beforehand members discussed the draft opinion with the participation of Mr
Mark NICKLAS, Head of Unit for Innovation Policy and Investment for Growth in DG Growth, European Commission.
Afterwards the ECON Commission adopted the draft Opinion on Proposal for a European Defence Fund which was prepared by the rapporteur:
Dainis TURLAIS LV/ALDE) after a discussion with the participation of Mrs
Anne FORT, policy officer, Defence, Aeronautic and Maritime Industry, DG Grow, European Commission.
Then Mr
Marco DUS(IT/PES) who replaced the Rapporteur
Micaela FANELLI (IT/PES) presented the draft Opinion on Trade Package. After a discussion of the draft opinion with the participation of Mrs
Marta BUSZ, policy officer, DG Trade, European Commission the ECON commission adopted the opinion adopted unanimously.
In the afternoon session the ECON Commission held an exploratory debate on the Opinion on Amendment of the SRSP and new budgetary instruments for the euro area for which Ms
Olga ZRIHEN BE/PES) was appointed as Rapporteur-general. Mr
Andrea MAIRATE, Head of Unit of Unit B4 - Impact of EU policies on national economies, European Commission and Mrs
Gabrielle SALLÉ, SG D1, Secretariat General, European Commission delivered statements.
Finally
Adrian Ovidiu TEBAN RO/EPP), the rapporteur on the opinion on Public Procurement Package presented his working document. An exchange of views with the participation of Ms
Justyna BALASINSKA, policy coordinator, and Ms
Raluca IPATE, policy officer, both from DG GROW of the European Commission took place.