The global geoeconomic context: The first working session will start with a presentation by Mario Draghi on the impact of the changing geopolitical and geoeconomic environment on the EU’s competitiveness. It will be followed by a leaders-only discussion.
Leaders are expected to discuss how the EU should position itself in a world of increased – and not always fair – economic competition and trade imbalance, as well as how best to respond to economic coercion and reduce economic dependencies, notably in areas like critical raw materials and technology. Europe must both accelerate its ambitious trade agenda and defend its companies from unfair competition through focused protection in strategic sectors. Rules that allow for European preference in some strategic areas, and a systematic approach to economic de-risking, will have to be part of this equation.
The EU’s internal strategy: Enrico Letta will take part in the second working session of the meeting. He will present his views on how to better leverage the single market in a fast-changing world. The session will be followed by a leaders-only discussion. Leaders will focus on identifying the main EU priorities to complete the single market, as well as how to provide EU businesses with a more favourable regulatory environment and how to respond to economic coercion and unfair competition. The EU needs to do more to effectively reduce national barriers, and to make the regulatory framework at all levels more conducive to investment, innovation and company growth. Creating a new ’28th regime’ to help companies scale up and accelerating the work on a savings and investment union will also be crucial in this regard. There is also a need to deepen, harmonise and further integrate the single market to allow competitive EU firms, in key sectors such as digital, telecommunications, capital markets and energy, to scale up and successfully compete globally, while ensuring the affordability and security of services for our citizens and industries.
The global geoeconomic context: The first working session will start with a presentation by Mario Draghi on the impact of the changing geopolitical and geoeconomic environment on the EU’s competitiveness. It will be followed by a leaders-only discussion.
Leaders are expected to discuss how the EU should position itself in a world of increased – and not always fair – economic competition and trade imbalance, as well as how best to respond to economic coercion and reduce economic dependencies, notably in areas like critical raw materials and technology. Europe must both accelerate its ambitious trade agenda and defend its companies from unfair competition through focused protection in strategic sectors. Rules that allow for European preference in some strategic areas, and a systematic approach to economic de-risking, will have to be part of this equation.
The EU’s internal strategy: Enrico Letta will take part in the second working session of the meeting. He will present his views on how to better leverage the single market in a fast-changing world. The session will be followed by a leaders-only discussion. Leaders will focus on identifying the main EU priorities to complete the single market, as well as how to provide EU businesses with a more favourable regulatory environment and how to respond to economic coercion and unfair competition. The EU needs to do more to effectively reduce national barriers, and to make the regulatory framework at all levels more conducive to investment, innovation and company growth. Creating a new ’28th regime’ to help companies scale up and accelerating the work on a savings and investment union will also be crucial in this regard. There is also a need to deepen, harmonise and further integrate the single market to allow competitive EU firms, in key sectors such as digital, telecommunications, capital markets and energy, to scale up and successfully compete globally, while ensuring the affordability and security of services for our citizens and industries.
Links:
Informal EU leaders’ retreat, 12 February 2026
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