Honourable Chair, honourable Vice-President de Groot, honourable Members,
I would like to thank the Parliament and the rapporteur for the very comprehensive report and the opportunity to present the Commission's views.
The external environment remains challenging.
I can assure that the coordination between the European Commission and the EIB closer than ever.
Not only on how to fully mobilise EIB potential to meet the current challenges, but to do so in line with the EU policy priorities and strategic interests.
There are four main points that I want to underline today from the Commission's perspective.
Firstly, on competitiveness and economic security, EIB work is as important as ever.
From facilitating access to capital for our innovative startups and scaleups to looking more into critical sectors to support, like AI, quantum, cleantech.
We should mobilise all possible avenues and instruments: from attracting institutional investors to aligning the next multi-annual financial framework to supporting these priorities.
This constitutes a huge potential, including via higher risk-taking.
I would also like to highlight the important role of the European Investment Fund acting as a market catalyst and cornerstone investor as well as a bridge between the investors, national stakeholders and the real economy.
Based on its earlier success, the EIF is just about to launch the second edition of the European Tech Champions Initiative that will complement our ScaleUp Europe Fund, contributing to a European financial ecosystem that addresses our scale up financing gap.
Secondly, the fallout of the Middle East conflict illustrated all too well how the EIB Group's investments in energy security remain extremely relevant .
Critical raw materials are also in focus, and we are considering options on how to speed up deployment in this area in line with RESourceEU action plan.
Thirdly, the Commission welcomes the EIB stepping up its investments in security and defence, as also mentioned in the report.
There can be no competitiveness without security.
It is important that the EIB seriously looks for possibilities to further step up its activities in strengthening EU defence capabilities and improving defence supply chains.
Moreover, the EIB is a major partner for the Commission in delivering on our strategic priorities also outside of the EU.
On Ukraine, we commend the EIB Group's continued commitment to enhancing Ukraine's resilience and supporting its recovery.
The EIB's engagement will also be critical in the post-war period for Ukraine's reconstruction.
Let me add that unfortunately Europe, and especially its Member States on the EU's eastern border, continuously feel the impact of Russia's war more closely – through hybrid attacks, increasing drone incursions, and sabotage activities.
In line with our February communication on Eastern border regions, we expect the EIB to pay particular attention to the challenges these regions face.
Lastly, I would like to mention that the EIB is also our important partner in efforts to deliver on the Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing, working with us on the Pan-European Investment Platform for housing.
I congratulate the EIB on its progress in simplification and reducing time to market.
We need quality as much as speed in our reactions and investments.
I therefore welcome the Parliament's report that brings important insights and recommendations for the work of the EIB Group.
It is critical that the EIB Group can continue ensuring a balance between being a bank with a public mission and maintaining agility to ensure its attractiveness as a partner for project promoters.
I am confident we can rely on this productive approach also in the future.
