【Wen / Observers Network, Wang Kaiwen】Amid internal and external challenges such as economic downturns and escalating geopolitical risks, on February 12 local time, leaders of the 27 EU countries gathered in a castle in the countryside of eastern Belgium for a closed-door meeting.
"The only topic on the agenda was competitiveness," wrote the Belgian "Brussels Times".
Reuters said that EU leaders on the 12th stated that they urgently needed to find ways to reduce energy costs, improve the functioning of the borderless internal market of the EU, keep European companies competitive, and survive in the intense economic competition from the United States and China.
However, expectations for this meeting seem low, with significant differences among EU countries on many issues, and it is expected that the meeting will not achieve major breakthroughs.
The UK's "The Guardian" also subtly mentioned that the castle where the meeting was held was surrounded by a moat.
The more direct satire from the European edition of "Politico" was: whenever the situation becomes serious, EU leaders raise the drawbridge and lock themselves behind solid walls — every time, from 9/11 to Brexit, and even the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it has been like this.
Video screenshot of European Council President Costa being interviewed
"We all have a sense of urgency"
The Guardian reported that for a long time, the issue of declining European competitiveness has troubled the EU, but with the abrupt interruption of Russian gas supply in 2022, Trump's trade war, and the rapid rise of Chinese competitiveness, Europe's painful vulnerability has been exposed, making this issue even more urgent.
In the face of economic threats and political turmoil, Europe has been brainstorming how to regain economic competitiveness in the competition with the United States and China.
Reuters reported that the topics discussed at this meeting include how to deepen the EU single market, promote the EU financial market union, enable the EU to make large-scale investments, and reduce Europe's high energy costs. These issues will test whether member states are willing to compromise on their own interests and take action in supporting growth.
"We must have a unified energy market; it is the only solution," said Czech Prime Minister Babiš, and many other leaders also expressed agreement. EU data shows that European industrial electricity prices are more than twice those of the United States and China.
"The main problem facing European industry currently is energy costs," said Belgian Prime Minister De Croo, "without competitiveness, we may lose the petrochemical, steel, and metal industries, of course, which are the foundation of all prosperity."
European Council President Costa said when arriving at the venue on the 12th: "We have a clear priority, which is to strengthen European economic growth. This is crucial for our prosperity, helps create high-quality jobs, and maintains our socio-economic model."
The report pointed out that although all EU countries hope to build a more competitive group, they have long been divided on how to achieve this goal.
The Guardian reported that in order to revitalize economic competitiveness, the EU is considering previously taboo policies — "Europe First", which prioritizes European companies in strategic areas such as clean technology. However, there is great division among EU countries on this policy. The leaders will discuss this issue at the meeting on the 12th.
France has long advocated the "Buy European" policy, which may mean requiring governments to prioritize locally made products in public procurement contracts.
Macron said this week to several European media outlets that "Europe First" should focus on certain strategic industries, such as clean technology, chemicals, steel, automotive, and defense, "otherwise Europeans will be pushed out." He described "Europe First" as "a defensive measure" and claimed that the necessity of this policy lies in "we are facing unfair competitors who no longer abide by World Trade Organization rules."
Macron's idea has been opposed by Germany, Sweden, Ireland and other EU countries.
"In my view, we must uphold the spirit of open free trade within the EU. Therefore, this issue will spark debate," said Irish Prime Minister Michelle O'Leary Martin on the 12th.
On February 11, German Chancellor Merkel also warned at a joint meeting with Macron that the "Made in Europe" policy might be too narrow.
Local time February 11, 2026, Antwerp, Belgium, German Chancellor Merkel attending the European Industry Summit. IC Photo
Other than "Buy European", EU leaders will also discuss deregulation and barriers within the European single market.
EU Commission President von der Leyen had previously told members of the European Parliament that the EU has too many "overly complicated" mechanisms, and additional regulations from individual countries make it harder for businesses to operate. She gave an example: Belgium allows trucks with a load capacity of 44 tons, but once they cross into France, they can only carry 40 tons.
In addition, former Italian Prime Ministers Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta will also give speeches at the meeting, as they had written reports on economic agenda setting.
Draghi warned last week that the current global economic order has "died", and Europe could fall into "subordination, fragmentation, and deindustrialization". He said Europe needs to move from a "confederation" to a "federation" and pointed out that the veto power of member states on key policies makes countries "easy to be defeated one by one".
Reuters reported that this meeting is expected not to make any specific decisions, but will provide clues about whether the 27 EU member states can overcome their own interests and reach a joint action plan.
"We all have a sense of urgency, and Europe needs to take action," said French President Macron. He was standing next to German Chancellor Merkel, despite their differences on many issues, they still chose to arrive at the meeting site together.
The report pointed out that many leaders expressed the same sense of urgency as Macron, as well as frustration over lack of progress, but this stagnation is largely caused by themselves, especially in further unifying the EU economy.
"We talk too much and act too little. At least this is an opportunity to change this trend," said Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson.
Save Europe in the Castle?
The European edition of "Politico" noted that the location of this meeting, the Aldenbissen Castle, is located near Bilzen in the province of Limburg, Belgium, and is one of the largest castles between the Loire and Rhine rivers, even with a moat to block invaders, "and possibly Donald Trump."
Enrico Letta is one of the two former Italian prime ministers invited to attend the meeting. According to his words, this closed-door meeting carries a grand task: saving Europe.
Letta told the European edition of "Politico" that this meeting would show "whether Europe can reverse the situation, truly achieve unity, full maturity, and maintain independence," just as the Maastricht Treaty signed in 1992 "shaped Europe for the past 35 years," "now we must do something similar again."
According to Luke van Meijl, director of the Brussels-based Geopolitical Institute and historian, the deep corridors of European castles and palaces have long been a favorite gathering place for EU political elites, because "they are away from the scrutiny and noise of big cities, providing the secret environment considered necessary for real business."
The Aldenbissen Castle where this meeting was held, European Council website
Van Meijl also said: "During the era when the European Council was like a traveling circus, holding summits in castles also provided the host country with a key opportunity to showcase itself. Castles add an element often lacking in EU decision-making processes: spectacle and splendor."
Since October 2003, all formal European Council meetings have been held in Brussels. Before that, meetings were usually held in the country that was serving as the rotating EU Council presidency.
After becoming European Council President, Costa said he would hold informal closed-door meetings to allow leaders to brainstorm without the pressure of reaching conclusions. Costa's team said their idea was simple: go out of Brussels and think carefully.
The report pointed out that holding meetings in castles or palaces is not the first time. After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in March 2022, EU leaders held a meeting at the Palace of Versailles under Macron's chairmanship. This meeting produced the "Versailles Declaration" promising member states to strengthen defense spending and reduce dependence on Russian energy.
In September 2016, three months after the UK's referendum decision to leave the EU, the first meeting of EU leaders was held at the Bratislava Castle in Slovakia. After the "9/11" incident, the European Council convened a meeting at the Royal Palace of Laeken in Belgium in December 2001, and the secluded location provided the necessary security for sensitive discussions on counter-terrorism.
Medieval historian Matt Lewis said: "The emergence of castles in Europe was largely due to the collapse of the Carolingian Empire. They were a response to the uncertainty brought by the power vacuum and the fear of possible consequences."
"Today, the appeal of holding important international events in castles and palaces remains strong," said Lewis. "This closed-door meeting also reflects a kind of vulnerability — at a critical moment that could determine the direction of many affairs, it seems only by relying on the centuries-old defensive fortresses of castles can one gain a bit of stability."
Original: toutiao.com/article/7605997191484490274/
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