AMSTERDAM, March 24 (Reuters) - Members of the European

Parliament on Monday urged the European Commission to launch a

new support programme for the region's semiconductor industry

targeting investment in AI chips and other technological gaps.

"Recent geopolitical developments have shown that Europe

cannot take continued access to advanced technologies for

granted," a letter authored by representatives of three major

factions in parliament and signed by 54 lawmakers said.

"We must take active steps to make the EU attractive as an

R&D, production and investment location," it said, criticising

progress made under the original 2023 Chips Act as "too slow".

The plea from the lawmakers follows a similar call from top

European chip industry firms last week.

The Commission has yet to detail plans for the semiconductor

industry, though it has said it intends to launch five packages

this year spurring European investment, notably in AI.

The letter addressed to Commission digital chief Henna

Virkkunen said it was unfortunate those packages do not address

semiconductors, as chips are "at the heart of the EU's

industrial ambitions".

A spokesperson for Virkkunen's office could not immediately

respond.

The first EU Chips Act prompted a wave of investment, but

failed to attract advanced chipmakers after Intel ( INTC ) shelved plans

for a large new factory in Germany.

Addressing that, and other shortcomings, has become more

urgent in light of "current geopolitical realities," the letter

said.

Europe needs to "protect its champions from the consequences

of extraterritoriality and the ever-escalating competition

between the United States and China," the letter said.

Extraterritoriality refers to the practice of a country

enforcing national laws outside its own jurisdiction.