EES EU Live (04/2022)

April 5, 2022

EES EU Live (4/2022) - The Digital Senators' Briefing
Video Live Talk with Dr. Ingo Friedrich, President of the European Economic Senate (EES),
on the topic: "Europe's Response to the war in Ukraine - how to succeed in imposing sanctions against Russia while minimising the economic damage to Europe and Ukraine".c

In order to stop Putin, further sanctions have now been decided. Although these sanctions are primarily intended to hit only Russia, they have an impact on the economy, the EU and Ukraine. Ukraine is one of the most important suppliers of agricultural products and raw materials. It is also a production location for European suppliers. As a result of the war, many of these sources have disappeared virtually overnight or are only able to supply inadequately. One example is the automotive industry, where a lack of wiring harnesses from Ukraine has even led to production stoppages. It is therefore all the more important to keep the economy in Ukraine running despite the war and to re-establish the supply chains to the EU and vice versa. On the one hand, this will provide Ukraine with financial resources from its own economic activities, and on the other hand, it will be better able to supply itself with goods produced in Ukraine.

The Corona Pandemic and the war in Ukraine have shown us mercilessly how dependent we Europeans have made ourselves on China and Russia. Even if there is a quick ceasefire and peace in Ukraine, there can be no more "business as usual".

How can Europe make itself resilient and better protect and support its economy? And in the future, will we generally have to shape the economy more from a security perspective again? Do we need to strategically rethink the economy and interdependencies with China and Russia? What are the consequences and opportunities?
About these and other topics we discussed with:

• Milena ANGELOVA
  Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC),
  Secretary General, Bulgarian Confederation of Industrial Employers (AIKB)
• MEP Lukas MANDL
  Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on Security and Defenceof the European Parliament,
  Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament
• Marcin NOWACKI
  Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC),
  Vice-President of the Polish Confederation of Enterprises and Employers (ZPP),
  President of the European Enterprise Alliance