Warsaw, 16 May 2025 — María Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and part of the Spanish delegation, took part today in the Extraordinary Employers’ Group Meeting held in Warsaw, co-organised by the EESC Employers’ Group, the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, and several national business organisations (BCC, Lewiatan, Pracodawcy RP, ZRP, ZPP).

The event, titled “Time to unlock a security-driven competitiveness”, focused on strengthening EU open strategic autonomy and dismantling regulatory barriers that hinder business growth, particularly for SMEs across the Single Market.

The opening session featured high-level institutional participation, including:

• Krzysztof Paszyk, Polish Minister of Development and Technology
• Stefano Mallia, President of the EESC Employers’ Group

Two main thematic sessions followed:

1. Strengthening EU Open Strategic Autonomy
   This session explored the EU’s leadership in disruptive technologies such as AI, clean tech, quantum computing, and space, while addressing dependencies and global competition.
   Speakers included:
   • Pietro Francesco De Lotto (EESC – CCMI)
   • Małgorzata Darowska (WB Group)
   • Dr. Grzegorz Brona (Creotech Instruments)
   • Aleksander Siemaszko, Director of Trade and International Cooperation, Polish Ministry of Development and Technology
2. Dismantling Barriers to Unlock Competitiveness
   Focused on implementing the European Council’s call for a “massive and immediate” regulatory simplification, this session identified actionable strategies to reduce complexity and boost SME competitiveness.
   Speakers included:
   • Emilie Prouzet (EESC – INT)
   • Agnieszka Majewska (SME Ombudsperson, Poland)
   • Henryk Orfinger (Dr Irena Eris S.A.)
   • Bartłomiej Banaszak (Polish Ministry of Development and Technology)

María Helena de Felipe contributed as a member of the Spanish Employers’ Group delegation, aligning with broader EESC efforts to enhance Europe’s competitiveness through innovation, simplification, and strategic autonomy.

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