EU leaders on Thursday headed to a 16th century Belgian castle for high-stakes talks on Europe’s competitiveness.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan is one of the EU leaders gathering for an informal retreat at the Alden Biesen castle in Belgium, to conduct a “strategic brainstorming session” on enhancing European competitiveness, single market strengthening, and reducing economic dependencies.
Led by European Council President António Costa, the meeting focuses on the EU’s geoeconomic, investment, and growth strategies.
EU Heads of State, plus former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, both former Italian prime ministers, will discuss competitiveness report updates.
Costa says it is crucial for the EU to “remain calm, composed, and continue to strive for constructive dialogue” in its relations with US President Donald Trump, and noted that the relationship between Brussels and Washington is not “a relationship of equals.”
He pointed out that the EU consists of 27 member states, “each with its own policies and interests,” while the US acts as a single federal entity.
President Dan “will plead for the consolidation of the Single Market, attracting investments and using the new trade opportunities resulting from the agreements recently signed by the European Union, which will open new economic possibilities for our country, “ his office said.
He supports “the need to simplify administrative procedures for businesses, which would facilitate the increase of investments and the expansion of Romanian companies on European markets.”
No formal conclusions are expected; instead, the session acts as an informal retreat. The real test will come next month at the formal March European Council, where Mr Costa intends to “reflect these informal discussions in the preparations and outcome”.
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