Enrico Letta calls for fifth freedom to become the "flagship" of EU action

The fifth freedom, meaning the freedom of research, innovation, knowledge and education, must become the brand of the European Union's work, according to Enrico Letta.

Letta, former Italian Prime Minister and author of the famous report on the Single Market published in April 2024, was present at the opening of the R&I Days in Brussels on 10/11/2026.

He said: "Our fifth freedom has to become more and more the flagship and, in general, the brand of what we are doing at European level. If we are not able to convince our people that this mission is fundamental for our future, then we will continue thinking that we can do it at national level, fragmented and alone. Success will be in the hands of others who are bigger than us and whose size enables them to scale and grow."

In his report, Letta…