From artificial intelligence to critical infrastructure and defense: semiconductors power the technologies that define our future in terms of prosperity, autonomy, resilience and competitiveness. By signing the Declaration of the Semicon Coalition Europe, co-inititiated by the Dutch government, all 27 EU member states underscore the urgent need for a revised and forward-looking EU Chips Act 2.0. The Declaration mentions five priorities: strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem through collaboration, investment, skills, sustainability and international partnerships.
At the initiative of the Netherlands the responsible Ministers of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain have established the Semicon Coalition last March. Today in Brussels all other EU Ministers joined and signed ahead of the EU Competitiveness Council whereupon minister Karremans of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands handed over the declaration to the European Commission.
Minister Vincent Karremans of the ministry of Economic Affairs:
All EU Ministers agreed on the fact that Europe’s industrial strategy should adapt to the increasing geopolitical tensions in the world. This unique unity is a landmark step forward in securing future strategic autonomy and broad prosperity. And more particularly in strengthening and expanding Europe’s leadership in the semiconductor value chain and enabling faster commercialization of innovation within the EU.
We’ve underlined with this joint strategy the need to increase production capacity, invest in cutting-edge research and develop a skilled workforce throughout the EU. Europe is ready to meet the growing demands in AI, automotive, energy, and defense. Our industry and governments are committed to work together to build capacity and secure global competitiveness.
Peter Stolk, Chairman of Holland High Tech:
The signing of the Semicon Coalition by all EU Member States gives a fantastic boost to the semiconductor sector across the board, from innovation to chip production. This important step, initiated by the Dutch government, will result in strengthening the industrial autonomy of the semiconductor industry in Europe for a wide range of relevant applications: AI, defence, sustainability, the energy transition, medical innovation and much more.
At Holland High Tech, we remain committed to working together to deliver the innovations that the semiconductor industry so urgently needs to stay ahead, including through the development of the National Technology Strategy (NTS) action agendas. In addition, the NL Semicon Board and our broad network in the Netherlands will remain closely involved in the five priorities mentioned in the declaration. To reinforce this, we are one of the signatories of the Industry endorsement of the Semiconductor Coalition declaration.
Five priorities of the Semiconductor Coalition
The Declaration mentions 5 priorities where all the Ministers have agreed upon:
- Strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem through collaboration among industry, research, SME’s and startups.
- Investment: align EU and national funding; accelerate approvals for strategic projects and mobilize private capital.
- Enhance skills by building a robust European talent pipeline in semiconductor technologies.
- Promote sustainability with an energy-efficient and circular semiconductor manufacturing.
- Expand international partnerships and collaborate with like-minded global partners while protecting European strategic autonomy.
Read the full declaration of the Semiconductor Coalition:
Endorsed by the industry
More than 50 leading European and international semiconductor entities have already endorsed the Declaration uniting industry and governments. This step forward builds the momentum for the revision of the EU Chips Act placing end-markets at the heart of defining the bloc’s next strategic objective in the semiconductor sector. This is in line with the report of Mario Draghi on the Future of European Competitiveness. The Industry Endorsement lists three measures for success:
- Decisive measures and clear commitment from the Commission and Member States to implement the declaration
- Creating the necessary conditions for a healthy business climate
- Developing market- and industry-driven business cases to connect European and global markets and facilitate European and international partnerships and investments.
Read the statement of the European Semiconductor Industry Association about the signing:
To the ESIA statement
