As EU leaders meet in Brussels for the European Council Summit on 19–20 March 2026. With the current Iranian conflict, and the continuing Ukraine war, Europe faces a number of different crises coming together, which will test its strategic resolve. From surging energy prices linked to global geopolitical tensions to the urgent need to strengthen competitiveness, defence and social resilience. Reflecting the seriousness of the current situation, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres will meet EU Council President António Costa to discuss the deteriorating international situation and how the EU and its partners can work together to defend multilateralism.
Our experts’ round-up brings together leading voices on the policy choices confronting the EU at this critical time. Contributors examine how to reduce fossil fuel dependency while safeguarding climate tools, unlock innovation by investing in human capital, move from diagnosis to decisive action in EU governance. They also assess the importance of reinforcing military support for Ukraine and the role of social foundations in sustaining long-term competitiveness. Together, these highlight a central question for Europe’s leaders: will this summit deliver transformative decisions — or prolong a pattern of cautious incrementalism?
Read EPC experts’ takes below:
“The world is witnessing a surge in oil and gas prices driven by the US war on Iran. The EU is particularly vulnerable as its economy and households still depend on imported oil and gas.
As this energy crisis is not the first, and arguably not the last, the European leaders must recognise that it is in the EU’s strategic interest to double down on decarbonisation to reduce the EU’s fossil fuel dependency while advancing climate action.
When searching for ways to alleviate the immediate pressure of rising energy prices on companies and households, it is crucial to safeguard the EU Emissions Trading System, as it is driving decarbonisation while making the European economy and society more immune to future oil and gas price shocks.”
“If Europe is to leapfrog economically, it must complement its competitiveness agenda with a stronger focus on human ingenuity alongside technological development.
Several important initiatives are already underway. The Savings and Investment Union aims to revolutionise funding for innovation, while the EU-INC proposal would create a single digital register for companies. EU leaders will discuss progress on the entire competitiveness revival at this week’s Summit in Brussels.
As these initiatives take shape, a new source of dynamism needs to be activated, placing humans on the offensive in their relationship with technology. To revive its competitiveness, the EU must double down on brain skills.”
“Is the European Council a forum for solving Europe’s problems — or simply for rehearsing them?
In recent years, leaders have grown fluent in the language of geopolitics: resilience, economic security, defence, competitiveness. The diagnosis is rarely contested, but the decisions that follow often remain cautious, incremental and carefully hedged.
Paradoxically, Europe seems to clearly understand the scale of the disruption yet still governs as if marginal adjustments might be enough.
As leaders gather again this week, the real question is whether they will finally produce decisions equal to the moment — or demonstrate Europe’s comfort with necessary but unfinished debates.”
“The upcoming EU leaders summit must urgently boost military support for Ukraine amid global crises. Rising oil prices from the Iran war are replenishing Russia’s war chest just as Kyiv pushes back in eastern Ukraine, having liberated some 400 km² of territory in recent days.
To prevent arms shortages, the EU should leverage its defence industry, not only supplying Ukraine with weapons and revenue but also strengthening Europe’s own capabilities through joint arms production with Kyiv.
Ukraine’s expertise, including anti-drone technology sent to Gulf states, demonstrates that coordinated EU-Ukraine defence collaboration can bolster security and ensure Europe is prepared for multiple crises.”
“Amid unprecedented uncertainty, EU leaders must not lose sight of how strong the social democratic pillars are in ensuring societal resilience.
Efforts to unify the single market, boost innovation and avert (another) energy crisis are welcome, but these ambitions depend on strong social foundations to succeed. Affordable housing, decent employment, equality and the right to health — particularly mental health — are not separate from the competitiveness agenda; they underpin it.
As AI transforms the economy, the next MFF will either cement a narrow focus on economic competitiveness or renew the EU’s commitment to the social cohesion that makes competitiveness sustainable.”
For media enquiries or interview requests with EPC experts on the topics discussed above, please contact Rajnish Singh (r.singh@epc.eu) or send your request to media@epc.eu.
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