Inês Maria Ribeiro da Costa (master’s student in European Union Law at the School of Law of University of Minho)
1. Introduction
On the 23rd and 24th of April EU leaders are meeting in an informal summit to discuss “current political developments and issues of strategic importance for the European Union”,[1] namely on the activation of a mutual assistance clause in the Treaty on European Union (TEU)[2] in case of an armed attack.[3]
In 2026, the Union’s geopolitical survival is at the top of the agenda, a priority for which European competitiveness is proving to be a necessity, rather than just a market concern. So much so that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has been promoting the idea of a “two-speed” Europe, arguing that Member States that favour enhanced integration[4] – in a group of at least nine – should be able to move forward in a coordinated effort to strengthen the Internal Market.[5]
In 2025, this competitiveness was at the heart of a significant strategic restructuring, focusing on post-pandemic recovery and responding to technological pressure from the United States of America (US) and China. To preserve and strengthen Europe’s position relative to global actors, it became essential to take decisive measures.[6]
Continue reading “The “competitiveness compass” under scrutiny: strategic autonomy and the new geopolitical shock”
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