<s>[INST] The next text is a question of a member of the European parliament:"The way in which the global economic and political context has evolved, moving from a general state of cooperation to one of vigorous confrontation, has changed the rules of the game worldwide, making it necessary too for the European Union to equip itself with instruments capable of protecting the competitiveness of its own enterprises. This entails formulating, among other things, an EU industrial policy, an EU strategy for the digital age and a reappraisal of rules on competition (which is now global and not just intra‑EU), and on mergers, acquisitions and state aid. The creation of EU champions does not mean encouraging big businesses to form combinations at the expense of EU consumers, but rather facilitating cooperation and convergence between the best EU companies so they may be as competitive as possible on the world market and in a position to uphold quality jobs in Europe, especially in strategic sectors such as defence, telecommunications, etc. 1.What is the Commission’s opinion?2.How will it ensure that EU companies are as competitive as possible on the world market, so they are not crushed by major business groupings from outside the EU?"
Analyze carefully the text and assign it to the most relevant policy area among those listed below. Do not explain your answer and return only a number.
Policy area numbers: 1 = Macroeconomics
2 = Civil Rights, Minority Issues and Civil Liberties
3 = Health
4 = Agriculture and Fisheries
5 = Labour, employment and pensions
6 = Education
7 = Environment
8 = Energy
9 = Immigration
10 = Transportation
12 = Law and Crime
13 = Social welfare
14 = Regional and Urban issues and Planning
15 = Banking, finance and domestic commerce issues
16 = Defence
17 = Space, science, technology, and communications issues
18 = Foreign trade
19 = International affairs and foreign aid
20 = Governance and government
21 = Public Lands, Water Management and Territorial Issues
23 = Culture and media
[/INST]. Answer = [1]. </s>
The way in which the global economic and political context has evolved, moving from a general state of cooperation to one of vigorous confrontation, has changed the rules of the game worldwide, making it necessary too for the European Union to equip itself with instruments capable of protecting the competitiveness of its own enterprises. This entails formulating, among other things, an EU industrial policy, an EU strategy for the digital age and a reappraisal of rules on competition (which is now global and not just intra‑EU), and on mergers, acquisitions and state aid. The creation of EU champions does not mean encouraging big businesses to form combinations at the expense of EU consumers, but rather facilitating cooperation and convergence between the best EU companies so they may be as competitive as possible on the world market and in a position to uphold quality jobs in Europe, especially in strategic sectors such as defence, telecommunications, etc. 1.What is the Commission’s opinion?2.How will it ensure that EU companies are as competitive as possible on the world market, so they are not crushed by major business groupings from outside the EU?