On 28 May, France and Germany signed a joint declaration titled “A new agenda to boost competitiveness and growth in the European Union”, concluding a three-day state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Berlin, the first since 2000. The declaration follows the recent leak of the EU’s 2024-2029 draft Strategic Agenda, a guiding document meant to shape the policymaking programme of the next European Commission.

The Franco-German contribution to the EU’s strategic agenda is intended to frame preliminary discussions between heads of state, culminating during the European Council on 27-28 June. It emphasises the need to enhance Europe’s technological and industrial competitiveness, aiming to make it the “first climate-neutral continent” by fully implementing the European Green Deal, particularly in areas such as pollution and biodiversity. The publication calls for increased innovation and investment across the bloc and seeks to reduce barriers hindering the Single Market, including energy, echoing the recent report by Enrico Letta. The document focuses on climate, digital policy, trade, and health, with only a brief mention of defence. This marks a departure from the European Commission’s leaked draft, which prioritised defence and downplayed climate-related policies.

The paper highlights the EU’s successes and competitive advantages, such as skilled labour, innovative companies, and strong research institutions. However, it stresses the need for better mobilisation of public and private investments, noting the European Commission’s estimate of over 620 billion euros per year required to achieve the Green Deal and REPowerEU. France and Germany advocate reinforcing the Green Deal and the Green Deal Industrial Plan through robust industrial policy and reducing strategic dependencies on third countries. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs), public procurement, and state aid are presented as crucial tools for making Europe a leader in net-zero technologies, artificial intelligence, and mobility.

The document promotes green growth through decarbonisation, recycling, and circularity for both end-products and raw materials. It addresses the challenges faced by the chemicals, agricultural, and fisheries sectors, urging the Commission to adopt a Bureaucracy Reduction Action Plan to streamline stakeholder involvement, permitting processes, and project implementation.

Building a competitive and decarbonised energy system is identified as a key goal, with a focus on renewables, low-carbon technologies, and energy efficiency tools. The declaration calls for flexibility and a reliable investment framework, particularly through the successful implementation of the Emissions Trading System (ETS), the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and the reform of electricity market design.

Finally, the Franco-German declaration underscores the importance of research in strengthening the EU’s technological capabilities. It aims to promote cutting-edge research, boost research transfers and industrialisation, enhance partnerships with industry, reinforce the European Innovation Council (EIC), and attract more investments through venture capital and IPCEIs.