High-level meeting in Brussels

Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism defends Spanish steel sector in Europe

2016.2.15

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The meeting, chaired by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Jyrki Katainen, and the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elzbieta Bienkowska, was also attended by senior representatives from the Member States, trade unions, sector associations and leading European companies in these industries.

During the conference, and in line with what the Government of Spain has been working on over the course of the last four years, the Secretary-General for Industry strongly defended the Spanish steel sector, its importance and the risk of imports from China at 'dumping prices'.

Begoña Cristeto recalled that the government is committed to defending the sector and called for the European Union to adopt measures to protect trade that offsets the low prices and unfair practices of third countries, in the same terms as contained in the letter that Minister Soria sent to Commissioner Bienkowska a few days ago.

During the entire previous term of office, the government strongly defended Spanish industry. Following the formation of the European high-level group, the government set up the so-called 'Steel Board' in Spain, as an instrument to debate, during the numerous meetings held, the problems affecting the sector. The members of the Steel Board include the employers of the sector, the trade unions, the various ministerial departments competent on the matter and the regional governments affected.

Challenges of Energy-Intensive Industries

This conference was called by the European Commission to talk about the challenges facing the following sectors: the paper, chemical, non-metallic minerals, steelmaking and non-ferrous metal industries. During the course of the conference, debates were held on innovation, stimuli for investment, international trade, energy and the circular economy.

The sectors encompassed within the energy-intensive industries are facing common challenges, related to the need for a stable and foreseeable regulatory environment, energy supplies at accessible costs, environmental regulation that takes into account the technical capacity for adaptation of companies, an international environment of fair competition and access to the necessary raw materials.

On 18 December, a meeting was held of the High-Level Group of Experts in Energy-Intensive Industries, which included participation from the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. This group was set up by the European Commission on 26 October 2015 to assist and advise the Commission on the political initiatives necessary for these industries. This new group encompasses the former high-level group on the steel industry, set up on 4 December 2013 with the support of the Government of Spain.