During a recent leadership retreat focused on competitiveness, President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, emphasized the urgency of capitalizing on a “narrow window of opportunity” to advance European interests. Metsola highlighted the critical need for Europe to bolster its competitive stance on the global stage, paralleling the continent’s unified responses to health during the pandemic and defense during the Ukraine crisis. Metsola laid out a four-point plan aimed at driving European progress. Firstly, she called for the completion of the Single Market to counter fragmentation from external pressures, urging immediate action. Secondly, she underscored the importance of reducing bureaucratic hurdles, noting the European Parliament’s efforts in simplifying various regulatory frameworks to foster business and economic growth. The third point focused on boosting both public and private investment, particularly in the energy sector. Metsola stressed the importance of creating a robust Energy Union to ensure stable and affordable energy supplies, describing energy as “the new gold.” Lastly, she advocated for an ambitious free trade agenda, reinforcing the necessity of strategic partnerships, as evidenced by recent trade agreements with India and ongoing negotiations with the US and Mercosur. The European Parliament is set to continue discussions on these initiatives, with a committee vote on the EU-US trade agreement scheduled for later this month, followed by a plenary session in March. Metsola’s remarks reflect a broader European commitment to enhancing competitiveness while maintaining an open yet pragmatic approach to global trade and cooperation. Post navigation New EU Laws Shield Farmers