This Thursday, Feb. 12, EU leaders will meet for a “competitiveness summit” which, according to a letter to the heads of government sent by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Feb. 9, is to make Europe fit for “a world increasingly characterized by raw power.”
For the first time, she raised the possibility that ambitious member states could join forces (a kind of coalition of the willing—ed.) and move forward in order to avoid being held back by others.
“Our goal should always be to reach agreement among all 27 member states,” she wrote. “However, where lack of progress or ambition threatens to undermine Europe’s competitiveness or its ability to act, we should not shy away from using the possibilities for enhanced cooperation provided for in the treaties.”
