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EU Leaders Hold Informal Meeting to Strengthen Single Market and Address Geoeconomic Challenges
Leaders of the European Union are set to hold an informal meeting next Thursday at the Alden Biesen Castle in Belgium as part of a political retreat aimed at reinforcing the single market amid escalating international competition and ongoing trade imbalances.
European Council President Antonio Costa, in his invitation to heads of state and government, emphasized that this gathering aims to inject new political momentum into enhancing European competitiveness, similar to a previous retreat focused on defense that, according to him, accelerated the building of a European defense framework.
By 2026, the EU aims to make the single market a central driver of growth and innovation while bolstering economic resilience in the face of current geopolitical tensions. Costa described strengthening the single market as an imperative strategic necessity, urging the reduction of existing national barriers and the establishment of a more supportive regulatory framework for investment and business development at both national and European levels.
Among the proposals discussed is the creation of a “System of Twenty-Eight,” designed to facilitate the establishment and expansion of businesses within the European space by simplifying administrative procedures and easing regulatory burdens.
Discussions will also cover ways to speed up the establishment of a union for savings and investment as a fundamental tool for directing European savings towards productive investments and enhancing the financing capacities of the European economy amidst intensifying global competition.
The critical mass of European businesses will prominently feature in the agenda, particularly in strategic sectors such as digitalization, communications, financial markets, and energy. The European Council President noted that many companies still lack the necessary scale to support high levels of investment and innovation.
Costa confirmed that consolidating the single market remains a crucial prerequisite for enabling European businesses to position themselves against global competition while ensuring the provision of safe and affordable services to European citizens.
European leaders will also address the trade openness of the EU as they continue their strategy of diversifying partnerships, particularly with major players like India. Costa stressed the need to balance openness with protecting economic interests, advocating for the acceleration of the trade agenda and the adoption of tools aimed at countering unfair practices in strategic sectors, including the establishment of European preferences and a more organized approach to mitigating economic risks.
This retreat will revolve around two main axes: the EU’s positioning within the new global geoeconomic context characterized by rising competition, unfair trade practices, and risks of economic coercion, particularly in raw materials and biotechnology. The second axis will focus on internal policies, emphasizing the completion of the single market, enhancing the capabilities of European businesses, and strengthening economic resilience.
The meeting will open with a traditional exchange with the President of the European Parliament, followed by extensive discussions involving Mario Draghi and Enrico Lettare, authors of reference reports on European competitiveness and the future of the single market, concluding with the identification of tools and policies necessary to enhance the EU’s competitiveness in the long term.
The outcomes of this informal meeting are expected to serve as a foundation for preparing the upcoming official European Council meeting scheduled for March, as the EU seeks to solidify its strategic autonomy and enhance its capacity to act in an increasingly complex international environment.
