EU Council President says leaders agree to push ahead with plans to boost competitiveness

European Council President Antonio Costa said that EU European Union leaders have agreed to make progress on improving the Union's competitiveness, including working on a new single set of rules to help companies take advantage of the single market.

Speaking after an informal meeting of the EU's 27 leaders in Alden Biesen in eastern Belgium on 12/02/2026, Costa said there was "a shared sense of urgency" around achieving the goal of improving competitiveness.

He said that leaders were set to agree at their next meeting in March on precise actions to simplify EU legislation and make progress towards completing the single market by 2027.

Costa highlighted plans to introduce a 28^th regime (i.e. one that would be in addition to and separate from the existing regimes in the 27 member states) that would make it easier for innovative companies to sell their goods and services across the EU.

"We all agree with the importance of moving forward quickly, this year, with the 28^th regime. To make sure our companies can operate seamlessly across our 27 member states with a simple and single set of corporate rules," he said.

The European Commission is planning to present a proposal for the 28^th regime later this year.

While there is strong support for the plan, the Commission faces a difficult decision on whether to propose a regulation, which would apply directly and identically in all 27 states, or a directive, which would require each country to introduce the new regime via national legislation. This is a much slower process and would delay the benefits for companies.