European industry should see the development of the Green economy as an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage over world rivals, the EU's prospective industry commissioner said at a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, according to dpa. "I am convinced that industrial policy and the fight against climate change will have a marriage of interest; besides, they work much better than love marriages," Antonio Tajani quipped in front of members of parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg. "Europe should become a world-leader in eco-efficiency, eco-design and environmentally friendly production processes, products and innovative services," he insisted. Tajani, who is the outgoing transport commissioner, pledged to "assume his full responsibilities" to prevent European firms moving to countries with lower environmental standards. But he stopped short of endorsing a carbon tax on imports from countries that do no match the EU's pledges on CO2 reduction. The idea is championed by France, while the would-be trade commissioner Karel De Gucht spoke against it, fearing it could spark a trade war. The Italian nominee promised to work in favour of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which provide the backbone of his country's economic development. Tajani vowed to make sure that "they will really" receive the 30 billion euros (43 billion dollars) that the European investment bank already pledged in their favour. He announced that he will commit his ideas on paper presenting a report on the relaunch of the EU's industrial policy over the course of 2010.
