“Check against delivery”

Thank you, dear Dr. Kadri,

Prime Minister De Wever,

Minister-President Diependaele,

Dear representatives of European industries and social partners,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Its a pleasure to return to Antwerp, a year after our first meeting. Last year marked a new beginning for Europes industrial policy, and since then, weve engaged in dedicated dialogues with various sectors. Today, we approved the Clean Industrial Deal, which aligns with the Antwerp Declarations recommendations and aims to establish a clear business case for Europe.

Europe is a powerhouse of talent, producing a quarter of the worlds clean tech patents. Weve made significant investments in infrastructure, like the rapid growth in the hydrogen sector. Our energy emissions have decreased, and were on track to meet our 2030 emission reduction targets.

However, challenges remain, such as high energy costs and regulatory burdens. The Clean Industrial Deal aims to address these by fostering innovation, simplifying regulations, reducing energy prices, and enhancing global competitiveness.

Were investing heavily in innovation, supporting sectors like electrolyser technologies and circularity. The new Decarbonisation Bank will mobilize funds to boost industrial decarbonisation.

Simplification is crucial for competitiveness. Our omnibus proposal reduces reporting obligations, potentially saving billions for European companies.

Energy prices are a priority. The Affordable Energy Action Plan focuses on clean energy expansion, market efficiency, and energy independence.

Global competition is fierce, and Europe must remain open to opportunities. Recent trade agreements with Mercosur, Switzerland, and others demonstrate our commitment to global engagement.

As we stand at a pivotal moment, Europe is ready for change, ensuring that industry continues to thrive here.

Thank you, and long live Europe.