EU leaders call video conference on energy prices

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever have called a video conference of European leaders to discuss Europe’s competitiveness. One of the main topics will be rising energy prices and their impact on the European economy.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday and, according to EU sources, is intended to pave the way for the European Union leaders’ summit scheduled for 19 March. The summit will address broader economic issues, including the functioning of the single market, reducing the administrative burden on businesses and energy price developments.

Merz, Meloni and De Wever already held informal talks on competitiveness in February. The aim is to coordinate member states’ positions ahead of key decisions at the EU level, particularly in economic policy and energy.

Rising energy prices have become one of the main factors affecting the competitiveness of European economies in recent months.

(reuters, mja)