EU leaders to meet on February 12 to boost single market competitiveness

European Union leaders will gather for an informal retreat on February 12, 2026 at Alden Biesen Castle to discuss strategies for strengthening the Single Market amid a shifting geoeconomic landscape. 

The invitation, sent by European Council President António Costa, highlights the EU’s drive to boost competitiveness and strategic autonomy, Caliber.Az reports. 

“Strengthening our Single Market is, more than ever, an urgent strategic imperative,” Costa wrote in the invitation.

“The Single Market can be a powerful driver of simplification for citizens and companies alike. We need to do more to effectively reduce national barriers, and to make the regulatory framework – at all levels, including at European level – more conducive to investment, innovation and company growth.”

Costa emphasised that EU companies in sectors such as digital, telecommunications, capital markets, and energy often lack the necessary scale to compete globally. He suggested that “consolidation in the Single Market, allowing competitive firms across the EU to scale up, is necessary to successfully compete globally,” while noting that this must be balanced with “ensuring the affordability and security of services to our citizens and industries.”

The retreat will also focus on Europe’s external economic relations. Costa wrote, “Europe is open for trade. The European Union has rightly been advancing its trade diversification agenda, most recently with economic powerhouse India.

But our openness should not be mistaken for weakness. Europe must both accelerate its ambitious trade agenda and defend its companies from unfair competition through focussed protection in strategic sectors.”

The agenda for the day is organised around two main dimensions. The first addresses the geoeconomic context, including the EU’s response to “economic coercion and… dependencies, notably in areas like critical raw materials and technology,” as well as opportunities to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy. The second focuses on internal strategy, including how to deepen the Single Market, help companies scale up, provide a more favourable regulatory environment, and protect firms from unfair competition.

Costa has invited former Italian Prime Ministers Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta to share their insights on European competitiveness. The morning session will include an exchange with the President of the European Parliament, followed by a discussion with Draghi on the implications of the changing geopolitical and geoeconomic environment.

After lunch, Enrico Letta will present on leveraging the Single Market in a rapidly evolving global context. The final session will focus on operational tools and policies to reinforce EU competitiveness, concluding at approximately 18:30.

“I intend to reflect these informal discussions in the preparations and outcome of the formal European Council in March,” Costa wrote, signalling that the retreat is expected to shape the EU’s upcoming strategic decisions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev