By Martin Banks

A conference was told that European policies are “seriously penalising businesses”.

So says Aurelio Regina, Confindustria’s delegate for Energy and the Energy Transition.

She was speaking at the ECR group study days event in Rome which concludes on Friday (12  December).

Regina told the meeting, “European industry can no longer be forced to choose between reducing emissions and shutting down.

“To be competitive and secure, we need a technologically neutral approach.

“We must act now: a genuine single energy market; a European decarbonisation fund; a realistic transition; and the suspension of ETS for thermoelectric production, alongside an immediate halt to the reduction of free allowances.”

After introductory remarks by Pietro Fiocchi, MEP for Fratelli d’Italia–ECR and Vice-Chair of the ENVI Committee, Italian speakers included Adolfo Urso, Minister for Business and Made in Italy and Milena Roveda, CEO of Gauss Fusion.

The issue of industrial leadership is more crucial than ever for a Europe facing the real risk of marginalisation,  geopolitically, economically and technologically.

“Today Europe needs a realistic and pragmatic approach to strengthen its competitiveness and guarantee energy security. As the ECR Group, we reiterate that technological neutrality is not a slogan but an essential condition,” Fiocchi said.

Minister Urso added: “The European conservative group is playing a decisive role in building in Parliament a responsible and pragmatic majority, capable of bringing together the EPP, the Liberals and reform-minded forces on the right. For the first time, full alignment and decision-making convergence across the three institutions in the trilogue is possible, unlocking Europe’s reform process.”

Roveda noted: “Fusion offers Italy the opportunity to lead a pan-European effort to regain industrial leadership through a sovereign technology and a value chain built in Europe. What Europe needs now is the courage to act with the ambition this moment requires.”

The ECR Study Days in Rome has this week brought together MEPs from the ECR Group, which includes delegations from 18 Member States, led this year by the host delegation of Fratelli d’Italia, alongside senior figures from European, national and religious institutions, as well as representatives from industry, the judiciary, journalism and civil society, to discuss the role and priorities of the ECR Group.

The event will conclude with a series of internal working groups.