D. Saková: To ensure a secure and competitive Europe, we need to increase domestic production and reduce imports
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic Denisa Saková attended an informal meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council, which took place in Nicosia. The ministers discussed topics including strengthening Europe’s defence technological and industrial base, the implementation status of the Competitiveness Compass, and the future of the single market for European consumers.
“During the discussions, we agreed that if Europe wants to be secure and strong, it must produce more domestically.Today, we import a significant share of our defence equipment, resulting in a loss of financial resources, jobs, and know-how. That is why greater support for the European defense industry is needed—from strengthening supply chains and demand planning to the strategic coordination of production capacities,” said Denisa Saková, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
In the first part of the meeting, ministers focused on the need to strengthen Europe’s defense technology and industrial base, particularly through improved cross-border cooperation, demand coordination, and reducing the EU’s dependence on suppliers from third countries. Slovak Minister of Economy Denisa Saková expressed support for the establishment of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) as a strategic instrument aimed at fostering synergies between the civilian and defence sectors, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and operate in full synergy with the Horizon Europe program and other EU programs.
The aim of the second part of the meeting was to evaluate the Competitiveness Compass one year after its launch and to assess its contribution to strengthening the European Union’s long-term competitiveness in the context of current global challenges. The discussion reviewed initiatives in the areas of innovation and artificial intelligence support (Action Plan for an AI Continent), transforming energy-intensive industries (Clean Industry Deal), strengthening manufacturing capacities in strategic sectors, and reducing the administrative burden (Omnibus).
“The European Competitiveness Fund will provide more than 230 billion euros to support manufacturing, innovation, and industrial modernization, and Slovakia intends to make full use of these funding opportunities. It is equally important to support our traditional industries—such as automakers, steel mills, and chemical companies—which are currently facing high energy prices, and to set green targets that are economically realistic. Our goal is clear: a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient Europe—and, by extension, a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient Slovakia,” added D. Saková.
The discussion also addressed ways of strengthening the single market from the perspective of consumers. Minister Saková emphasized that consumer confidence is a fundamental prerequisite for the functioning of the EU single market. The discussion focused on more effective enforcement of rules for goods imported from non-EU countries, consumer protection in the digital environment—with an emphasis on child protection—and balancing the regulatory burden on businesses.
The Press Department of MoE SR