Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, attended an informal summit of European leaders at the Alden Biesen castle, where she emphasized her support for eurobonds despite acknowledging that the issue is divisive. Meloni articulated a vision for enhanced competitiveness in the EU, an agenda that has seen Italy, Germany, and Belgium collaborate in a newly formed working group with participation from 19 EU countries. This development underscores Italy's proactive stance within the European Union, seeking to balance ambition with caution.

In her statement, Meloni confirmed the existence of an 'Italo-German engine' aimed at promoting economic collaboration, which was recently bolstered by a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Rome. She reassured that this partnership would not come at a disadvantage to other member states, particularly France, which has historically maintained a strong relationship with Germany but finds itself in a challenging position currently. Meloni's approach signifies a strategic shift that aims to redefine alliances and foster competitiveness while maintaining unity among EU members.

The summit's agenda also included the inaugural meeting of the competitiveness group led by Meloni, Merz, and Belgian leader Bart de Wever. This gathering highlights the urgency of addressing competitiveness issues within the EU, as leaders like Spain's Pedro Sánchez expressed frustrations, indicating varying degrees of support for the proposed initiatives. The dynamics of this summit reflect ongoing tensions and the complex interplay of national interests within the broader context of EU policymaking, as leaders navigate the challenges of collaboration against a backdrop of historical partnerships and emerging economic pressures.