“Last year I chose to dedicate an informal brainstorming of leaders to defence – that meeting provided a strong boost to the construction of a Europe of defence. In 2026, I would like us to provide the same political impulse to the area of competitiveness”, said President of the European Council António Costa on 2 February, in his invitation letter to European leaders ahead of the informal retreat at Alden Biesen on 12 February.
“In the current geopolitical environment,...