Feb 12 • 11:34 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El Mundo

The key meeting for the EU from which Sánchez has been excluded: 19 countries, all the big ones except Spain and 'relaunching relations' between Germany and Italy

Pedro Sánchez has not attended a crucial meeting regarding Europe's economic future, with 19 leaders present including major EU countries like Germany and Italy.

Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, was notably absent from an important meeting focused on Europe's economic competitiveness held in Bilzen, Belgium. This meeting was attended by leaders from 19 European countries, with Spain being the only major EU nation not represented. The notable attendees included the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever. The gathering aimed to create an informal working group to enhance the competitiveness of the European Union and foster closer ties between Italy and Germany.

The exclusion of Spain from this meeting could have significant implications for its influence in EU discussions on economic strategies. With Germany and Italy taking the lead in this initiative, Spain's absence may limit its ability to advocate for its interests regarding economic policy and competitiveness within the union. The meeting's discussions may set the agenda for future EU summits and policy directions that could impact how member states collaborate on economic issues.

As the only major country not participating, Spain's government may need to reassess its engagement strategy within the EU, especially in light of shifting power dynamics among the member states. The relaunching of relations between Germany and Italy, emphasized in this meeting, suggests a realignment of alliances that could influence Spain's negotiations and standing in the EU. This situation could also prompt further discussions on how Spain can ensure its voice is heard in critical economic conversations moving forward.

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