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European Parliament President Roberta Metsola defended the concept of allowing some member states to pursue deeper integration ahead of others, calling it “a pathway to unity” rather than an obstacle.
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“We have never been against member states going further,” Metsola told Euronews’ Europe Today morning show on Friday, commenting on discussions about further integration at the previous day’s EU leaders’ retreat.
EU leaders met informally on Thursday at Alden Biesen castle in Belgium to discuss competitiveness, joined by former Italian Prime Ministers Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, who have both published influential reports on European economic reform.
“We have had it with the Schengen area, we have seen it with the euro, and in different areas,” Metsola said. “This is not an obstacle or a shortcut to unity, rather, it’s a pathway to unity.”
While the informal summit produced no written conclusions, leaders floated a two-speed union as a potential solution to political deadlock over economic reforms needed to revive European growth, favouring speed over unanimity.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen endorsed the principle of enhanced cooperation, a mechanism which allows a group of at least nine member states to push ahead policies without unanimity to leaders ahead of a gathering.
French President Emmanuel Macron went a step further after the retreat, suggesting that Europe needs a “full package” of economic measures including joint financing agreed by June. If it cannot be done at 27, it will be done through enhanced cooperation.
The shift is significant as the EU has historically pushed for consensus and unanimity is the basis of policymaking for important decision affecting the bloc as a whole.
March deadline for concrete action
Metsola said the EU has “a narrow opportunity” before the next European Council in March to deliver concrete outcomes and establish a timeline, echoing statements from other leaders about the urgency of implementing changes.
She called for full commitment to completing the Capital Markets Union, the Banking Union, the Savings and Investments Union and the Energy Union, which she said was crucial to keep the EU competitive in the current geopolitical environment.
“That will make it easier in Europe for you to invest, for you to grow, to innovate and scale up,” she said.
Metsola outlined three urgent priorities: “2026 is going to be the year when we need to save the automotive industry. Two, we need to shore up where we are market leaders. Three, we need to conclude more trade deals.”
Asked whether she viewed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s call for co-legislators “to do their part” as criticism, Metsola responded: “Absolutely not. It is a common call to action, just as the European Parliament has asked for a long time for the Commission to come forward with simplification proposals.”
“We now have the proposals on the table, and we are working pretty fast on them,” she added.
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