EU Regions Call for Stronger Role in Clean Industry and Defence Policy
- maria tsaousi
- May 26
- 3 min read
Updated: May 29
Regions at the Core: Local Leaders Push EU to Boost Support for Clean Industry, Defence, and AI
Local Leaders Call for Stronger EU Support on Clean Industry, Defence, and AI
Europe’s ambitious goals for climate neutrality, defence readiness, and digital transformation must be rooted in its regions. That’s the message delivered by local and regional leaders during the latest meeting of the European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) on 23 May. The session saw the adoption of key opinions on the Clean Industrial Deal, early debate on the European Defence Readiness Package 2030, and a forward-looking initiative on artificial intelligence in public administration.
Clean Industrial Deal: Growth Begins at Local Level
The Clean Industrial Deal — a cornerstone of the EU’s long-term green and competitiveness agenda — took center stage. ECON members adopted a draft opinion calling for place-based industrial policies that reflect the unique economic profiles of Europe’s cities and regions.
Local and regional representatives stressed that they are not just implementers but drivers of industrial transformation. To succeed, they argued, the EU must ensure:
Simplified permitting and public procurement procedures
Targeted public and private investment
Flexible state aid and innovation-friendly regulation
Robust local partnerships between government, academia, and industry
Increased production of affordable clean energy
“Local and regional authorities are key enablers of Europe’s clean, competitive industrial transformation,” said rapporteur William Elofsson (SE/EPP), Second Deputy Mayor of Gävle.“This opinion supports technology-neutral policies and coherent funding that work for every territory.”
European Defence Readiness 2030: A Cohesive Security Strategy
ECON members also began discussions on a draft opinion for the European Defence Readiness Package 2030. The emphasis: a resilient, inclusive, and locally anchored defence strategy.
Key points included:
A European preference for home-grown defence products
Joint procurement involving at least two Member States
Use of cohesion funding aligned with regional development
Elimination of internal EU administrative obstacles to defence cooperation
“Defence policy must also support cohesion, competitiveness, and regional stability,” said rapporteur Ricardo Rio (PT/EPP), Mayor of Braga.“Local and regional governments are critical to ensuring that defence investment strengthens our communities, not just national budgets.”
Trade Disruption: Resilience Must Be Territorial
Global trade volatility, rising tariffs, and supply chain uncertainty are hitting some regions harder than others. ECON members warned that EU trade policy must be adapted to the specific vulnerabilities of local economies.
They called for a place-based resilience strategy to support the regions most exposed to external shocks.
AI in the Public Sector: Regions at the Forefront of Innovation
In an exciting new development, Alberto Cirio (IT/EPP), President of the Piedmont Region, was appointed rapporteur for the AI Continent Action Plan. His mission: to ensure that AI is not only a tool for innovation, but one that empowers public administrations and benefits local communities.
Cirio shared that in Piedmont, AI is already being used to optimise traffic systems and reduce pollution. The upcoming opinion will focus on:
Investment in AI infrastructure and computing power
Building local AI skills and talent
Ensuring ethical and transparent use of AI in government
“AI is already shaping our daily lives. EU regions and cities must have a voice in how we invest, develop, and deploy these technologies responsibly,” Cirio said.
For the first time during a CoR meeting, AI tools were used to generate citizen-friendly summaries of complex policy discussions. These will be publicly available on 4 June, offering a new way for the public to engage with EU policy in real time.
The Takeaway: Europe’s Future Runs Through Its Regions
Whether through industrial revival, stronger defence systems, trade resilience, or cutting-edge digital tools, one truth is becoming clear: Europe’s success hinges on empowering its local and regional leaders.
As the EU shapes its next strategic chapters, the ECON Commission is making sure that Europe’s cities and regions are not just consulted — but leading the way.
Watch the ECON meeting replay here
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