Several EU leaders demand urgent steps to boost competitiveness

Twenty EU leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, are calling for concrete reform proposals to boost the bloc's competitiveness, in a letter addressed to European Council President António Costa.

On Thursday, all 27 EU leaders are due to meet in Brussels for a summit that also has economic issues on the agenda.

In the letter, seen by dpa on Wednesday, Merz and his 19 counterparts call on the European Commission to systematically review the European Union's rulebook by the end of the year and suggest how "outdated and excessive rules can be dismantled."

This could be followed by a special summit in February focused on competitiveness.

The commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, should quickly present initiatives to speed up EU planning and approval procedures, for example when launching new products, building factories or expanding energy networks, the leaders say.

They call for the modernization of EU competition law, including quicker merger review and state aid procedures.

Small and medium-sized enterprises should gain easier access to financing, receive growth support and be relieved of onerous reporting and information requirements, for example under the General Data Protection Regulation, they say.

"If we don't change course, Europe will lose competitiveness compared to other economic regions of the world," the letter says. In today's world, it argues, remaining competitive is the basis for freedom, security and prosperity.

According to diplomats, the letter was initiated by Germany. Besides Macron, signatories include Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.