“I think probably the biggest long-term challenge for the European Union is the technology gap,” he said, adding that along with the Ukraine war, “we need to put that at the top of our priorities.” middle east.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made the issue a top priority for her next mandate, bringing together the portfolios of “technological sovereignty”, security and defence, and appointing one of her right-hand officials, Henna.・It was left in the hands of Mr. Virkkunen. Virkkunen, who has been appointed as Finland’s executive vice president of the European Commission, will face a hearing in the European Parliament on November 12 to defend his plan.
Von der Leyen’s choice to marry technology and security speaks to the wave of hybrid and cybersecurity threats to digital infrastructure and global technology supply chains being weaponized by the United States and China amid the Ukraine war. There is. Message: Technology helps achieve the bloc’s security and defense goals.
However, Issinger said he was concerned that the EU’s plan would not be achievable, adding: “I don’t think any government institutions, whether at national or EU level, will be able to actually implement it, so I’m optimistic. “Visibility is somewhat limited.”
What is holding Europe back is fragmented capital markets, the former ambassador says, drawing on former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s analysis in a recent landmark report on Europe’s ability to compete globally. repeated.
“The completion of the Capital Markets Union is probably the single most important prerequisite for getting this right,” Issinger said.
