LAST MONTH IN BRIEF

• 5 March: The European Commission launches the Union of Skills initiative to enhance the EU's competitiveness by improving skills across all stages of life, from basic education to adult reskilling.

• 5 March: The European Commission unveils an action plan to enhance the global competitiveness of the European automotive industry, focusing on innovation, the transition to clean mobility, and supply chain resilience (See Deep Dive 1).

• 6 March: EU leaders gather for a special European Council  to discuss strengthening Europe's defense capabilities,  increasing defense spending, improving military readiness, and reducing strategic dependencies in response to global security challenges (See Deep Dive 2).

• 10-11 March: EU Ministers for Research and Innovation meet in Warsaw to discuss the future of startups, scaleups, and the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

• 11 March:  The European Commission proposes a Critical Medicines Act to improve the supply of essential medicines in the EU by boosting local manufacturing, diversifying supply chains, and reducing dependencies on limited suppliers.

• 12 March: EU ministers for the Internal Market and Industry meet to discuss the Clean Industrial Deal, strengthen the single market, simplify regulations, and strengthen EU trade policies to boost the EU's competitiveness.

• 12 March: Defense ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the UK meet in Paris alongside the Defense Commissioner to discuss strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities and enhancing cooperation of defence industries (see Deep Dive 2).

• 19 March:  The European Commission launches the Savings and Investments Union strategy, adopts the Steel and Metals Action Plan and the White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 (See Deep Dive 2).

• 20 March - 21 March: EU leaders gather for a European Council meeting to discuss the measures to be adopted to strengthen the EU's competitiveness, Europe’s defence readiness and the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

• 25 March: The European Commission adopts a list of 47 Strategic Projects to boost domestic strategic raw material capacities.

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