Friedrich Merz's government has proposed the creation of a parallel integration process with six other major European economies
The letter includes a plan based on four strategic pillars. The first focuses on accelerating the development of the Savings and Investment Union in order to improve financing conditions for European companies.
Klingbeil emphasized the need to facilitate access to capital, especially for startups and companies in the process of expansion, which are considered essential for the continent's innovation and competitiveness.
The second pillar addresses the strengthening of the euro's international role, promoting its consolidation as a safe-haven currency based on predictability and respect for the rule of law. In this area, the German minister advocated reducing bureaucracy, simplifying regulation, and strengthening European sovereignty in payment systems.
Defense constitutes the third pillar of the proposal. Klingbeil argued for greater coordination among the member states and the firm integration of defense spending as a priority in the next multiannual financial framework of the European Union. According to the minister, a more integrated defense policy is not only essential for security, but it can also become a driver of economic growth.
The fourth pillar focuses on the security of the supply of strategic raw materials, particularly rare earths and critical minerals. The plan proposes intensifying efforts to strengthen the resilience of supply chains and deepen cooperation with key international partners.
Wednesday's meeting is conceived as a "kick-off," and a second in-person meeting is planned on the sidelines of the next Eurogroup meeting. With this initiative, Germany and France seek for a core of countries to lead decisive progress within the EU, even if not all member states are ready to move at the same pace.
Germany has formally raised the need to move toward a "two-speed" European Union as a response to the deadlock in decision-making within the community bloc and to the growing economic and geopolitical challenges.
The proposal was defended by the German Finance Minister, Lars Klingbeil, who stated that the time has come for a core group of member states to move more quickly on key policies to strengthen Europe.
During an event held on Tuesday in Berlin, Klingbeil pointed out that Europe is facing an increasingly unpredictable international environment, marked by geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and greater fragmentation of global markets. In this context, he warned that maintaining the status quo is no longer a viable option to guarantee the bloc's growth and stability.
The initiative has the backing of France and is materializing in the proposal to create a new cooperation format among the six main EU economies: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands.
According to a letter from the German minister, Klingbeil invited his counterparts from these countries to a videoconference scheduled for Wednesday, conceived as an initial meeting to define an ambitious and concrete agenda.
The aim of the meeting is to strengthen Europe's sovereignty, resilience, and competitiveness, at a time when the member states are seeking to reduce their dependence on imported critical raw materials, especially from China, and to mitigate the risks arising from possible tariffs and trade barriers that could negatively affect growth and investment.
