With the European Union facing several geopolitical challenges, it’s becoming clear that it struggles to address these issues when action requires unanimous agreement from all 27 member countries. Areas such as defense, energy, and investment are increasingly difficult to manage, with the European Commission making rules and national governments tasked with implementation. Meanwhile, businesses express concerns over excessive regulations and high energy costs.
Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland and his inconsistent support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia, along with China’s tactic of saturating Europe with cheap goods, have motivated EU’s top decision-makers to take action.
A recent EU leaders’ summit near Maastricht, the site of a key 1992 treaty, included strategic discussions on boosting prosperity, creating jobs, and ensuring affordability, as stated by European Council President António Costa. “Today’s discussion brought a new energy and shared sense of urgency around that objective,” he commented.
In the upcoming summit in Brussels, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to introduce a “One Europe, One Market Roadmap and Action Plan.” This plan proposes reforms aimed at reducing administrative hurdles and mobilizing private and public funds to support European start-ups. Leaders will vote on the plan in their next meeting before summer.
If unanimity isn’t achieved in some areas, the EU will resort to “enhanced cooperation,” where smaller groups of member countries advance policy proposals more quickly. Though previously advocated by some leaders, this approach has been largely avoided due to concerns about divisiveness.
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