EU Director-General Kerstin Jorna Highlights Baden-Württemberg's Role in European Industrial Innovation

EU Competitiveness Director-General Kerstin Jorna visited Baden-Württemberg on September 21-22, 2026, underscoring the region's importance as a leading example of Europe's industrial potential, particularly in manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Engaging with companies such as STIHL AG, local politicians, and industry representatives, Jorna addressed challenges such as bureaucracy and the need for faster innovation processes while emphasizing a fully functioning internal market to ensure competitive and innovation-friendly conditions.

Economic Minister Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut echoed these concerns, noting the critical need for supportive frameworks that promote innovation and reduce obstacles amid the ongoing industrial transformation. Central to the discussions was the proposed European Competitiveness Fund, designed to accelerate the market readiness of disruptive technologies, fostering new value creation and safeguarding jobs within the European value chains and automotive sectors.

Jorna highlighted Baden-Württemberg's advancements as a blueprint for boosting growth and job opportunities in Europe, especially through a robust robotics and AI ecosystem. The visit reflected a shared commitment to nurturing industrial competitiveness by combining government initiatives with industry collaboration.

Separately, on September 21, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined 21 other global leaders in supporting a declaration to increase regulatory oversight of Frontier AI models at the UN General Assembly. Matthias Spielkamp of AlgorithmWatch suggested that the primary focus should be on holding AI companies accountable rather than the technology itself, advocating for enforcement of existing EU laws to ensure corporate responsibility and safety in AI development.

Together, these developments underscore Germany's and the EU's strategic focus on innovation, regulatory balance, and fostering competitive industries to maintain Europe's economic leadership.