‘On 27 August in Paris, at the annual conference of the French business federation (La REF 2026), the President of the European Commission delivered a somewhat surprising speech. What was surprising was the candour with which the Commission President addressed a problem affecting the EU economy that has long been the subject of heated and widespread debate.’

‘Current trends in the global race warn that it is essential for the EU to rethink its economic and industrial policies. If the bloc does not strengthen its innovation base, increase its self-sufficiency in critical raw materials, energy sources, and technological development, and address its internal structural fault lines more effectively, its economic and, consequently, political weight will continue to decline relative to the other two major powers.’

‘The goal of the Cyprus Presidency…is aligned with the concept of strategic autonomy: a union that would strengthen the EU’s global role amid geopolitical turmoil. The emphasis on security, defence, energy security, and competitiveness could yield positive results, but it should be noted that while the programme is ambitious…it also stretches beyond the EU’s traditional scope.’

‘When political parties on opposite sides of the parliamentary spectrum voice sharp criticism…against a politician belonging to the centrist party family, it is easy to conclude that “extremist” groups are fighting against…balanced policies. This may be true in some cases, but a closer look reveals a much more complex picture, especially in the European political arena.’

‘Overall, these meetings influence policies that can lead to more coherent and effective global economic cooperation. However, in light of the tensions listed above, it is unlikely that this was one of those meetings where significant policies were adopted.’