The main topic of discussion at the Federal Chancellery was the importance of digitalising all economic sectors. "We know that this is about the competitive strength of our continent, the European Union", said Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel before the start of the European Round Table of Industrialists. "We know that this is about future jobs. I believe we can say that our meeting has set quite a few things in motion."

Present at the meeting were the Federal Chancellor, French President François Hollande, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as well as Chairmen of the Boards of major European companies that are members of the European Round Table of Industrialists, or ERT for short.

"We must play our part"

Meanwhile, on issues of competition law, there have been very concrete talks as well as plans for a European Commission resolution. "This could improve the general situation of the European Union", said Merkel.

The member states have a great responsibility here, according to Merkel. "We know that we must play our part, for example, with the rollout of the 5G network", said the Chancellor. "To do so, we require close cooperation between industry, the European Commission and our member states."

The EU's digital agenda

The subject of the digital agenda played a very significant role in the address by the President of the European Commission on the situation of the European Union, said the Federal Chancellor. "Much of this can be traced back to discussions that we have had in this circle." The Chancellor promised that the Federal Government will do everything it can to achieve results "as quickly as possible". "The European Commission has set itself a very ambitious agenda for this."

The general situation of the European Union following the referendum in Great Britain will be discussed, said Merkel. "We will demonstrate that, even after the meeting in Bratislava, we, the 27 member states, are determined to push ahead with economic development for the benefit of the people in our countries and their jobs", said the Chancellor. "And that we have an ambitious plan of action for this."

The format of the meeting was established in 2013. Since then, the Chancellor, the French President and the President of the EU Commission have met alternately in Berlin or Paris with representatives of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT). The purpose of the regular talks is to answer questions posed by international companies, not just at national but also at European level. The aim of the exchange is to help find solutions for innovation and employment in Europe as a centre for business.