Salvador Navarro, who leads the Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV), welcomed the RePower EU plan as a path toward complete energy independence from Russia by 2027. He stressed the double urgency: to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels and to address the energy crisis pressing the European Union. He also voiced concerns about the pressure on gas-intensive industries since before the pandemic and the lack of ready substitutes for cleaner energy, which can slow the transition for several sectors.
The remarks came during the opening session of CEV’s corporate visit to Brussels, an event that featured Inmaculada Rodríguez Piñero, a socialist Member of the European Parliament, among its attendees.
Avoid layoffs and transfer of production to third countries
In this context, CEV argued that the current situation warrants extending the deadlines of Fit for 55, the EU package designed to cut emissions by 55 percent by 2030. The union should also reduce the pressure that risks layoffs and the shifting of production to other nations, the confederation noted.
During the session, Yolanda García Mezquita, vice president of corporate relations and representative for member states, joined Navarro in signaling interest in alternatives to Russian fossil fuels. He stressed that the Valencia Community stands out as a favorable candidate for investment in renewable energy and said the European Union cannot settle for a secondary role in the global contest for leadership after the pandemic. The bloc should push to be at the forefront of this strategic shift.
Meeting with DG Ticaret
Plans also called for a separate meeting with María Martín Prat, deputy general director of the General Directorate of Commerce. In this discussion, CEV vice presidents will participate to address concerns about border controls and unfair competition affecting European companies, especially those operating in the Valencian Community. The aim is to ensure uniform regulations for imports from third countries and to strengthen quality checks at entry points for goods.
Additionally, a meeting will take place with Bernard Van Goethem and Dorothée André, who head the European Commission units for Phytosanitary and Crisis Management in Food, Plants and Animals. Later, dialogue is planned with Markus Beyrer, the General Secretary of BusinessEurope, and with Raúl Fuentes, the Permanent Ambassador of Spain to the EU. The program will involve ongoing participation from Valencia MEPs across the ITRE, ENVI, TRAN, AGRI and EMPL committees within the European Parliament, ensuring a broad exchange on industry, research, energy, environment, transport and employment issues.