On 19 – 20 November, the annual meeting of the Contact Committee – a cooperation platform of the heads of the supreme audit institutions of the European Union and the European Court of Auditors – took place in Malta. The central topic of the meeting was the competitiveness of the European Union. Participants analysed the current state of competitiveness, discussed future challenges and development prospects, and heard a presentation by the European Commission on the European Competitiveness Fund.
The representatives of the supreme audit institutions presented their audit results in several areas essential to competitiveness, including the efficiency of public investments, energy security, labour market and skills development, innovation and digitalisation. These audits identified the main obstacles to sustainable growth, such as insufficient coordination, high energy costs, skills shortages and low uptake of innovation. Council Member of the State Audit Office of Latvia Mr Mārtiņš Āboliņš shared the results of an audit on the actions and investments of local governments in promoting business development in Latvia.
In the concluding discussion, insights from the private sector were presented regarding cooperation among member states, businesses and public institutions. Special attention was given to the initiative Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) which serves as an example of how public and private partnerships can be developed to strengthen competitiveness at all levels.