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Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026 at a decisive moment for Europe’s competitiveness agenda. With the EU seeking to advance simplification, strengthen the Single Market and shape the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the Presidency will have a critical role to play in turning ambition into action. Its programme spans competitiveness, values and security. However, none of these priorities can succeed without a strong economy that fosters innovation and growth. In this context, AmCham EU’s Recommendations to the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU sets out concrete actions to advance a competitive and resilient EU economy. These proposals aim to help shape Europe into an attractive place for businesses to invest, operate and grow.

Pfizer selected Denmark as the site of the largest vaccine registry study ever undertaken, demonstrating how Europe can attract world-leading life sciences investment when the right conditions are in place. Beginning in 2024, Pfizer partnered with researchers at the Center for Translational Cardiology and Pragmatic Randomized Trials at Herlev-Gentofte Hospital in Copenhagen to assess whether its respiratory syncytial virus vaccine could reduce hospitalisations in adults. Denmark’s innovation-friendly environment, national digital mailbox eBoks and world-class health registries enabled researchers to invite almost the entire adult population to take part, helping recruit more than 500,000 participants. Study materials were made available online, allowing participants to provide informed consent from home, while health registries supported comprehensive tracking and analysis. This milestone shows how strong public-private collaboration and a supportive policy framework can help Europe deliver clinical research at scale and improve health outcomes for citizens. Read the full story on Invested in Europe. 

Ukraine’s progress in strengthening the rule of law and building a credible anti-corruption framework in recent years is enhancing its attractiveness as a destination for business and investment. Over the past decade, the establishment of specialised institutions, including NABU, SAPO, the High Anti-Corruption Court and the Prozorro public procurement platform, has improved transparency and enforcement. However, significant challenges remain, including the need to further strengthen judicial independence, ensure the consistent application of reforms and reinforce institutional resilience against political and wartime pressures. While governance risks persist, Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment to reform, supported by EU accession conditionality and international partnerships. Continued progress in these areas will be critical to providing investors with greater legal certainty and confidence in the country’s long-term trajectory.

Experience from the Baltic states illustrates how EU accession can act as a catalyst for institutional transformation, economic growth and increased foreign investment. Ukraine’s reform trajectory reflects many of the same characteristics, suggesting significant long-term potential if current reforms are maintained and deepened. For businesses, successful engagement in Ukraine requires both confidence in the country’s evolving institutional framework and robust internal compliance measures. Continued progress on judicial independence, anti-corruption enforcement and regulatory transparency will be essential to strengthening investor confidence, supporting reconstruction efforts and advancing Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.