Alden Biesen, Belgium – European leaders convened today, , for an informal retreat in Belgium focused on bolstering the European Union’s competitiveness on the global stage. The meeting, held in Alden Biesen, brought together leaders to engage in what President António Costa described as a “strategic brainstorming session,” building on previous discussions regarding the EU’s economic future.
The retreat follows a series of related meetings, including a January discussion on transatlantic relations and trade, a December strategic discussion on geoeconomy and competitiveness, and an October meeting centered on simplification and the “twin transition” – encompassing both digital and green initiatives. Notably, the current gathering was prompted by a letter from 19 EU leaders in October 2025, signaling a strong desire for focused action on competitiveness.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola addressed the leaders, outlining four key priorities for strengthening the EU’s economic position. Her remarks underscored a sense of urgency, framing the need for action as comparable to the responses seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. “What the pandemic did for our response to health, and Ukraine did for our response to defence – now is the time to do for European competitiveness,” Metsola stated, according to a transcript of her speech released today.
Completing the Single Market: A Core Priority
Metsola’s first point centered on the need to fully realize the potential of the EU’s single market. She warned that fragmentation within the market risks leaving Europe vulnerable to economic pressure from both the East and the West. “Fragmentation means we are allowing ourselves to be squeezed from our East and our West. At the speed with which things are moving, we need to act – now,” she said. Her message emphasized a pragmatic approach, advocating for forward movement even if not all members are in complete agreement, stating, “If we can go forward together let’s do it, but we cannot be stuck. The way forward needs to be defined by pragmatic realism that delivers tangible results.”
Cutting Red Tape and Streamlining Regulations
The second priority highlighted by President Metsola was the continued reduction of bureaucratic hurdles. She pointed to recent efforts by the European Parliament to simplify regulations in areas such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the Common Agricultural Policy, and the InvestEU program. Further streamlining is underway in committees concerning rules related to digital, environmental, automotive, and food sectors. Metsola also called for an assessment of national regulations that may be hindering growth, emphasizing the need for “urgent tangible outcomes for businesses and families.”
Reinforcing Investment, Particularly in Energy
Addressing the critical need for investment, Metsola stressed the importance of mobilizing both public and private capital, with a particular focus on the energy sector. She acknowledged that Europe is not lacking in savings, but rather in the ability to channel those savings into productive investments. “Our task is to find ways to inject more capital into high potential sectors without causing instability and weighing down our budgets,” she explained.
Metsola underscored the urgency of investing in energy grids and generation capacity to create a genuine Energy Union, ensuring stable and affordable energy supplies for industries and citizens. She described energy as “the new gold,” noting the global competition to secure access to these vital resources.
Pursuing an Ambitious Trade Agenda
The final pillar of Metsola’s address focused on the importance of an ambitious free trade agenda with partners and allies. She cited the recent trade agreement with India as a positive example, emphasizing that strategic autonomy does not equate to isolation but rather to increased influence. “The trade agreement with India was exactly the right message, the right tone, and the right deal. We know that strategic autonomy is not about isolation – it is about influence,” she stated.
Metsola advocated for prioritizing European products where possible, but cautioned against sacrificing industries reliant on external resources in pursuit of self-reliance. She also highlighted progress on trade agreements with Mercosur and the United States, noting that the European Parliament is finalizing its work on the EU-US agreement, with a committee vote scheduled for , and a plenary session planned for March. She stressed the need for these agreements to be based on “mutual trust, understanding and respect,” advocating for an approach that is “open, but never naive.”
The retreat also included the participation of Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, who were invited to share their insights based on previous reports on European competitiveness. No formal conclusions are expected from the discussions, but the reflections are anticipated to inform the conclusions of the March 2026 European Council meeting. The meeting underscores the growing recognition within the EU of the need to proactively address economic challenges in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
The strategic agenda 2024-2029, which guides the work of the European Council, identifies ‘a prosperous and competitive Europe’ as one of its three main themes, alongside ‘a free and democratic Europe’ and ‘a strong and secure Europe.’ This retreat represents a key moment in translating those strategic goals into concrete action.
