EU Insight 17 January 2025

Brussels, 17 January 2025

RIBERA EXPECTS CLEAN INDUSTRIAL DEAL TO SUPPORT HEAVY INDUSTRY AND CLEANTECH

The Clean Industrial Deal – the Commission’s flagship initiative on clean energy and industrial policy – is progressively taking shape. Speaking at an event, the Commission’s Executive Vice-President for climate and competition, Teresa Ribera, said that the proposal will support the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries and the development of clean technologies. The Clean Industrial Deal will also have an external element as it aims to ensure a level-playing field for European industries, at home as well as abroad. The Commissioner for climate, Wopke Hoekstra, echoed Ribera’s comments, adding that the policy will target energy prices and slash red tape. Planned for 26 February, the Clean Industrial Deal is expected to be a broad strategy outlining more detailed proposals to be presented at a later stage.

NEW BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER AND GOVERNMENT ELECTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 

After more than two months of negotiations, Bulgarian policymakers have elected Rosen Zhelyazkov from the centre-right GERB party as the country’s new prime minister. The GERB party, which secured 69 seats at the October election, overcame a prolonged political deadlock with the support of a coalition comprising leftist, populist, and centrist parties. During his parliamentary address, Zhelyazkov set as a key priority during his mandate to uphold of the rule of law and advance Bulgaria’s efforts to join the eurozone. With the new government taking office, it remains to be seen whether Zhelyazkov will succeed in bringing political stability to a country which has seen 6 general elections since 2021.

COMMISSION FINDS CHINA’S MARKET ACCESS RULES FOR MEDICAL DEVICES UNFAIR

European medical devices are treated unfairly in China’s public procurement market, a Report prepared by the Commission found. The study, carried out as part of the first investigation under the EU’s International Procurement Instrument (IPI), outlines several Chinese measures which act as direct or indirect barriers to EU medical devices and suppliers willing to access China’s market. The Commission will now assess the necessary measures to re-establish a level-playing field in EU-China relations. Possible retaliations are not excluded, although any measure taken under the IPI should be proportional. Indeed, EU trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič argued for reciprocity in public procurement market openness and declared that the EU stands ready to protect fair competition.

COMMISSION PRESENTS ACTION PLAN TO DEFEND EU HEALTH SECTOR FROM CYBERATTACKS

The Commission unveiled a strategy to shield the healthcare sector from cyber threats, as a first step to enhance the sector’s cybersecurity in resilience. The strategy puts forth several initiatives aiming to enhance cyber threat detection, preparedness and response capabilities of hospitals and health providers. It is also part of the EU’s broader multi-sectoral efforts to promote cyber resilience and to protect its citizens, businesses and critical infrastructure from cyber threats, to which an increasingly digital and connected Europe can be exposed to amidst a tense geopolitical global context. Following the unveiling of its strategy, the Commission aims to launch and implement related specific initiatives throughout 2025 and 2026.

EU DISBURSES FURTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO UKRAINE AND NEW HUMANITARIAN AID

As the 3-year mark since the start of Russia’s war of aggression quickly approaches, the EU aims to continue showing strong support to Ukraine, despite some Member States falling short of their own bilateral commitments. This time, the EU’s support translates into the disbursement of €3 Billion, paid under the exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan worth €18.1 billion. This is part of the G7-led loan which should eventually amount to €45 billion in financial support to Ukraine. This aid package is backed by the Russian assets frozen by western authorities, the majority of which are held in custody in Belgium. In parallel, Ukraine and Moldova will also count with a new humanitarian aid package worth a total of €148 million, which should support 12.7 million people affected by the war.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 20 January: Eurogroup. On the agenda: Digital euro, innovation in wholesale payments.
• 20-23 January: European Parliament’s Plenary. On the agenda: Polish Presidency priorities; Trump presidency impact; Israel-Gaza ceasefire; Foreign political intervention.
• 20-24: World Economic Forum (WEF).
• 21 January: Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN). On the agenda: presidency priorities; competitiveness and regulatory burden; economic governance framework.
• 21-22 January: Informal meeting of education ministers.

Tuomas Tierala, Managing Partner Brussels, Kreab

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Kreab • Tel: +32 2 737 6900 • tuomas.tierala@kreab.com • www.kreab.com/brussels • X: @KreabEU  •  LinkedIn: Kreab Worldwide