Maroš Šefčovič Reaffirms EU Commitment to Competitiveness, Farmers, and Social Priorities Ahead of October Council Meeting
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At the European Parliament plenary debate in Strasbourg ahead of the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025, Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations, and Transparency, delivered a comprehensive response to MEPs, highlighting the European Commission’s focus on competitiveness, agriculture, energy, and social resilience.
Šefčovič began by thanking Members of Parliament for their “passion for Europe” and for raising diverse topics central to the upcoming European Council discussions. He stressed that economic competitiveness remains at the heart of the European Commission’s agenda, referencing President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent presentation of the Commission Work Programme 2026. The Commissioner emphasized the EU’s dual focus on clean tech innovation and cutting red tape for businesses and industry.
He also drew attention to a less-discussed but vital area — Europe’s farmers and agri-food sector. Šefčovič praised Commissioner Christoph Hansen’s work on a new strategic vision for European agriculture, including measures to reduce reporting obligations and attract younger generations to farming. “The European Union is an agri-food superpower,” he said, pledging to keep it that way.
Addressing the issue of high energy prices and bureaucracy, Šefčovič echoed concerns raised by several MEPs — including his fellow Slovak, Martin Hojsík — about the urgent need to simplify rules and eliminate national ‘gold-plating’ of EU legislation. Quoting economist Mario Draghi, he said that removing internal market barriers could more than offset the impact of global trade tariffs, underscoring the importance of a truly unified European market.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the EU’s active pursuit of new free trade agreements, designed not only to open markets but also to secure critical raw materials through strong partnership chapters. These deals, he said, will help Europe reduce dependency on imports and ensure strategic autonomy. He cited the Global Gateway initiative as a key tool in fostering mutually beneficial projects abroad.
Šefčovič also touched on housing and poverty, two issues gaining political traction across EU institutions. He welcomed that affordable housing has become a joint priority for Parliament, the Council, and national leaders — a crucial step, he said, for young Europeans facing economic hardship. On anti-poverty measures, he highlighted the Commission’s ongoing child guarantee and broader social inclusion strategies.
Concluding his speech, Šefčovič thanked MEPs for their questions and reiterated his belief that the EU is united behind “a very ambitious agenda for the future of Europe.” He added that topics related to defence and security will be addressed by other senior officials under the Council framework.
His closing message was clear and confident: “Together with Parliament and the Council, we will deliver.”
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