Summit in Flanders, Europe seeks relaunch. Melons: "There is a GermanItalian engine …

In a castle in Flanders, on a rainy day, i leader europei they try to write a new page for Europe. In Alden Biesen, at the instigation of the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, a meeting takes place informal retreat of the 27th dedicated to competitivenesspreceded by a preverts summoned by Italy, Germany and Belgiumin which 19 countries participated.

That of the pre-summits is destined to become one practice: it will be repeated even before the European Council in March, assured Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon arriving at the meeting. In recent weeks, the need to speed up some dossiers and, to do so, the strengthened cooperation between States seems to be the only way to overcome the divergences that often paralyze decisions.

After the format of the “big 6” on economic issues, the return of Italy as a protagonist in Europein an axis with Berlin that is consolidating and which seems capable of influencing other capitals. The times of Franco-German winks in defiance of Rome seem distant. “There is definitely a German-Italian engine at this moment and a convergence on many issues. We are strengthening our bilateral cooperation, but it is not something that is done against anyone or excluding anyone”, reassured Meloni. Yesterday, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, meeting industrialists in Antwerp, spoke of a “situation on the verge of existential crisis” referring to the state of the industry in his country.

The concerns of European leaders

Concerns shared among the leaders, especially in light of the latest ones geopolitical shockscome i US dutieswhich forced the Union into a catch-up position. The objective of the retreat is therefore to outline a road map based on a few points and can be implemented quickly. And to start the discussion the leaders will start where they left off: the reports on single market by Enrico Letta and the one on European competitiveness signed by Mario Draghi, who a few days ago in Leuven invited the EU to transform itself into a “pragmatic federation”. The two former prime ministers will speak before leaders today, urging them to adopt a simple but ambitious agenda for relaunch the single market and complete it by 2028.

The first request of the 27 concerns i energy costswhich continue to penalize theeuropean industry. “On behalf of Italy I have focused and will focus above all on the issue of energy prices. On this there are dynamics and responses that are needed at a national level”, said Meloni, announcing “a very detailed measure” on the price of energy. But he specified that, without removing the issues that also persist at a European level, “we will not be able to give an answer on the most serious issue which jeopardizes the competitiveness of our businesses“. Another point on which there seems to be consensus is the simplification of proceduresconsidered too slow and complex to allow the Union to act promptly in a rapidly changing world.

The goal of a ‘regulatory cleanup’

In recent days, a letter from Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the need for “regulatory cleansing at all levels”denouncing “too much overlap” and “too many layers of national legislation” that create new barriers in single market. “A truck in Belgium can weigh up to 44 tonnes. But if it crosses the border into France, it can only carry 40 tonnes. In June 2023, we proposed legislation to harmonize this legislation. Almost two years later, the issue is still under discussion between the co-legislators,” the Commission President recalled. While it continues to rain outside, leaders inside are trying to transform intentions into actions. The informal summit it won’t untie all the knots, but it opens a phase in which the EU seems intent on putting things back at the centre competitiveness, single market and industrial capacity. I know it strengthened cooperation will truly become the new normality, this will already be understood from the European Council in March, when leaders will be called to transform the method into results because it is not just the industry that is at stake, but the positioning of the European Union on the global stage.

Drawing details the agenda to leaders for competitiveness

The former prime minister and former director of BCE, Mario Draghi in his speech at the informal leaders’ meeting UE at Alden Castle Biesen focused on several key topics: the need to reduce barriers in the Single Marketthe fragmentation of stock markets and efforts to mobilize European savingsil cost of energythe possibility of a targeted European preference in some sectors. This was reported by an EU official. Finally, Draghi placed the emphasis on decision making processon the possibility of strengthened cooperation to proceed more quickly on some dossiers, if necessary, as required by the treaties. An in-depth exchange of views followed with the leaders, whose questions covered issues such as investment challengesthe UIS, the functioning of the energy sectorthe merger guidelines and the international role of the euro.