During the informal European Council meeting on February 12, President Letta’s address focused on the completion of the single market as a strategic priority for European economic sovereignty. The President proposed the launch of a “One Market Act,” an interinstitutional agreement to accelerate, through a fast-track process, the adoption of the necessary measures by 2026–2028.

The proposal is structured around the framework already presented in the Report: three pillars of vertical integration—financial services, energy, and connectivity—flanked by three horizontal levers—the “fifth freedom” linked to the circulation of knowledge and innovation, the 28th regime to simplify the legal framework for businesses, and the “freedom to stay,” aimed at strengthening territorial cohesion.

The proposal was welcomed by Von der Leyen and Costa, who spoke favorably of it during the closing press conference.