EU Leaders to Meet in Belgium
European Union leaders will gather for an informal summit on February 12, 2026, at the historic Alden Biesen Castle in Belgium. Convened by European Council President António Costa, the meeting aims to develop a strategy for strengthening the EU's single market. The event will feature expert contributions from former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi and former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who authored influential reports in 2024 with recommendations for boosting EU competitiveness and reforming the single market. This gathering comes at a critical time as the EU seeks to adapt its economic foundations to a rapidly changing global landscape.
Summit Agenda
The meeting will open with an exchange of views with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. This will be followed by a discussion with Mario Draghi, focusing on the impact of the new geopolitical and geo-economic environment on EU competitiveness. In the afternoon, participants will discuss with Enrico Letta how to better harness the potential of the EU's single market.
The final working session will see EU leaders concentrate on how to utilize and develop tools and policies, including the single market, to enhance the bloc's competitiveness. As Costa stated:
“I would like to invite you to an informal leaders' meeting on February 12, dedicated to strengthening the single market under new geo-economic conditions,” - António Costa.
Costa also emphasized the importance of Draghi's and Letta's presence to share their vision for European competitiveness and the developments since their reports were published.
The first part of the debate will focus on how the EU should position itself amid rising global economic competition, respond to economic pressure, reduce dependencies on critical raw materials and technologies, and strengthen strategic autonomy. The second aspect will involve discussions on internal strategy and policy within the single market framework.
The EU leaders' meeting in Belgium reflects the pressing challenges facing the European economy, particularly in the context of global competition and shifts in the geopolitical landscape. Strengthening the single market and boosting EU competitiveness is increasingly seen as vital for the region's economic development and its resilience against external threats. The discussions with experts like Draghi and Letta are intended to formulate concrete strategies to achieve these goals.