European Council President António Costa calls on the EESC to help deliver a just and competitive Europe for citizens and businesses

The current geopolitical context is shining a harsh spotlight on the price that Europe is paying for its dependency on third countries, as European Council President António Costa said at a plenary debate with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The EU must boost its competitiveness to be able to deliver tangible results in terms of jobs, income and affordable housing.

The debate comes amid sustained geopolitical and economic pressure. Russia’s war against Ukraine, tension in the Middle East and disruption of energy and supply chains continue to affect prices, investment and economic stability. Global competition is getting fiercer, with major economies investing heavily in strategic sectors.

Together, these pressures are exposing how closely Europe’s economic performance is tied to external developments. They are affecting industrial capacity, investment decisions and household living conditions, reinforcing the need for a more resilient and competitive European economy.

In this sense, Mr Costa described 2026 as a decisive year for Europe’s economic agenda. He argued that strengthening competitiveness is necessary to reduce these dependencies and safeguard Europe’s social model, economic security and ability to act in a more hostile global environment.

He pointed in particular to the recent agreement by the European Council on the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap. This initiative aims to remove remaining barriers within the single market, improve conditions for businesses across the Union and deliver on three closely interconnected agendas: competitiveness, sovereignty and trade.

On competitiveness, the roadmap proposes faster action, greater simplicity and increased scale. Removing unnecessary barriers between national markets, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the single market and easing intra-European trade. 

On sovereignty, the objective is to regain control over energy policy while pursuing decarbonisation in a just and fair manner for all stakeholders. 

On trade, Mr Costa reaffirmed the roadmap's commitment to openness and international cooperation, describing the Union as a predictable partner and a stabilising force in the global economy.

The EESC President, Séamus Boland stressed that: ‘Europe’s competitiveness and global role cannot be separated from its core democratic values. Respect for the rule of law, fundamental rights, social dialogue and an inclusive social market economy are not constraints: they are our comparative advantage.’

Housing affordability was also highlighted as a growing concern, particularly for younger generations. Mr Costa linked rising housing costs to broader pressures on living standards and warned that failure to address this issue risks undermining public confidence in democratic institutions. He also stated that the EESC plays a key role in bringing these concerns into the EU decision-making process.

Mr Costa said: ‘The European Economic and Social Committee is personifying the roots of the European model, of the European institutional architecture. In particular, your committee is playing a critical role in making the voice of the young generation stronger, and their preoccupations more central to the European Union institutions. Our young people are the future of Europe, and Europe should be their guarantee for a better future.’

Diverse views from EESC members on Europe’s competitiveness path

The debate reflected a broad range of views among EESC members on how Europe should move forward while balancing competitiveness, social rights and inclusiveness. They agreed that competitiveness is no longer an abstract concept, but one that increasingly affects daily life through rising costs and economic uncertainty, thereby raising expectations for the EU to deliver tangible results.

Sandra Parthie, President of the EESC Employers’ Group, called for faster action to close the gap between ambition and delivery: ‘While Europe speaks of sovereignty and innovation, the market buys elsewhere and EU companies scale elsewhere. If Europe is to remain an economic power, it needs to move from ambition to action as a matter of urgency. It must fully enforce the single market, mobilise capital and design regulation for growth, not for compliance.’

Lucie Studničná, President of the EESC Workers’ Group, focused on the social dimension: ‘Competitiveness cannot be built by lowering labour standards, environmental protections or consumer rights. Quality jobs, fair wages and strong social dialogue are part of Europe’s economic strength, not a cost to be reduced.’ She added that the link between collective bargaining, worker participation and productivity is too often overlooked, even as wage gaps widen and many young people struggle to access affordable housing and stable living conditions.

Cillian Lohan, President of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group, said that ‘It is essential that the EU remains firmly committed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. They constitute the compass for the EU’s future and for future generations. As civil society, we are ready to make our contribution to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.’