Spain challenges Italy over exclusion from EU pre-summit talks

Spain has formally expressed its dissatisfaction to Italy over a coordination meeting held ahead of the February 12 informal European Union leaders’ summit in Belgium, arguing that the initiative undermines basic EU principles and weakens cohesion among the Twenty-Seven.

According to Spanish media, the controversy arose during the summit convened by European Council President António Costa at Alden Biesen castle in Bilzen, focused on deepening the single market and boosting Europe’s competitiveness. Before the official session, around 20 EU leaders met separately at a nearby hotel at the initiative of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever to align positions on economic policy.

Spain, along with Portugal, Ireland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovenia, was not invited. Spanish government sources said Madrid contacted Rome not to seek an invitation but to warn that such parallel formats risk fragmenting unity rather than fostering consensus.

Italy responded that Meloni and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez exchanged views on the sidelines of the summit and that Sánchez did not raise objections at the time. Madrid maintained that its concern relates to the political implications of holding meetings outside official EU frameworks.

European Council President António Costa also expressed reservations, telling the organisers that progress on competitiveness requires preserving consensus within the European Council. Meloni, however, defended the informal group and said it plans to meet again ahead of the March European Council in Brussels.

By Tamilla Hasanova