In a declaration adopted at a meeting held in inclusive format on Thursday 23 October (see EUROPE 13713/7), the heads of state or government of the euro area countries called on the European legislator to “swiftly complet[e] legislative work” aimed at bringing the digital euro project to fruition.
According to these leaders, the digital euro represents “a strategic opportunity for supporting a competitive and resilient European payment system, contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy and economic security”. The digital euro will also strengthen the euro’s international role, which is also based on its economic foundations and on the fact that Europe is a “reliable and predictable international partner”, they stress. And they said they were “committed” to deepening the integration of capital markets, completing the banking union and strengthening the single market.
At the Council of the European Union, the Danish Presidency has set itself the objective of reaching a political agreement in principle before the end of 2025. In the European Parliament, work is progressing more slowly, mainly because of the doubts of the rapporteur, Fernando Navarrete Rojas (EPP, Spanish) (see EUROPE 13702/19).
At the same time, the leaders of the euro area countries are positive about the resilience of the European economy, thanks in particular to the recent trade agreements reached by the EU, which they believe have “mitigated policy uncertainty”. And they look forward to the prospect of welcoming Bulgaria as the twenty-first member at the beginning of 2026.
Link to the statement by the euro area countries: https://aeur.eu/f/j4j (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)