Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned European leaders that the drive for economic competitiveness remains an "abstract concept" unless it delivers higher wages and lower prices for consumers battling a cost-of-living crisis.
Arriving at an informal European Summit in Belgium, Mr. Mitsotakis presented a slate of proposals aimed at slashing bureaucracy and repairing the single market.
He cautioned that without tangible economic relief, the bloc risks losing the social consensus needed to enact difficult climate and policy reforms.
"Competitiveness must be paired with more and better-paid jobs and lower prices," Mr. Mitsotakis said. "If we are to tackle the cost-of-living crisis... we must ensure that competitiveness ultimately benefits both businesses and European consumers."
The prime minister singled out the European energy sector as a critical failure, describing the current market as fragmented and underperforming.
He urged his counterparts to accelerate integration to drive down power costs, a move he argued is essential for keeping European industry viable against global competitors.
The extraordinary meeting, which prioritized the climate crisis, comes as EU nations face increasing pressure to balance green transition goals with economic stability.
Mr. Mitsotakis insisted that these high-level policy decisions must translate into direct benefits for households to prevent deepening social inequality.