A leading group of six EU member states, including the Netherlands, has put forward a series of proposals aimed at boosting the European Union’s global competitiveness. One of the central recommendations is the swift introduction of a digital euro, which the group views as a vital step for the future of the continent’s economy.
In a letter sent to the European Commission on Thursday, the finance ministers of the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland argued that a digital euro is essential. They believe it is the key to creating a “diversified, sovereign, and resilient digital payments landscape” within the EU, reducing reliance on external financial systems.
The ministers suggest that a digital euro would help create a more integrated capital market. According to the letter, such a market is necessary to unlock Europe’s growth potential, increase its economic independence, and provide a “firmer basis for financing common priorities” across member states.
The six nations also propose that major stock exchanges and other significant financial institutions should be supervised at an EU level, rather than by individual national regulators. While this shift has been discussed in the past, it has yet to be implemented. Additionally, the group wants to see better funding options for European start-ups and a general simplification of financial services rules.
These proposals arrive just ahead of next Thursday’s summit, where EU leaders will meet to discuss how to keep the European economy competitive. The ministers’ letter is intended to serve as a formal contribution to those high-level discussions.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
