The Four Motors compass for cohesion and strategic competitivenes

The side event “Cohesion and Competitiveness as the Compass for Europe’s Future” took place on 15 October 2025 in Brussels, within the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC).
Organised under the Catalan Presidency of the Four Motors for Europe (4ME), the debate brought together high-level representatives from the four partner regions — Catalonia, Baden-Württemberg, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Lombardy — alongside Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Prime Minister of Italy.
Conceived as a high-level political dialogue, the session combined institutional interventions, analytical insights and regional perspectives, building on the exchange that had taken place earlier in Milan under the 4ME Presidency.
Following opening remarks by Minister Jaume Duch, Mr Letta delivered a keynote speech setting out the main challenges for Europe’s competitiveness and cohesion.
The debate then unfolded across four thematic blocks — Cohesion & the Single Market, Innovation & the Fifth Freedom, Decarbonisation to Compete, and Towards an Inclusive Economy — each introduced by one of the Four Motors’ regional representatives, followed by Mr Letta’s reflections and an open exchange among participants.
The discussion addressed core issues such as the future of the MFF 2028–2034, the role of innovation and research, the energy transition and interconnections, and the need for an inclusive European economy.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Minister Duch, who summarised the key political takeaways and reaffirmed the Four Motors’ shared commitment to a cohesive, competitive and forward-looking Europe.
Key takeaway: Europe’s competitiveness cannot be achieved without cohesion. A reformed MFF — complemented by instruments such as SAFE and sustained investment in innovation, services and housing — is essential to ensure a balanced and resilient Union.
Key takeaway: The Fifth Freedom should become the backbone of a renewed Single Market — integrating knowledge, research, education and data to drive Europe’s competitiveness, cohesion and global relevance.
Key takeaway: Energy interconnections are the backbone of Europe’s green competitiveness. Without a genuine Energy Union integrating hydrogen, renewables and regional innovation, Europe risks remaining fragmented, dependent and less competitive on the global stage.
Key takeaway: Europe needs leadership and vision to make inclusive competitiveness a reality. Beyond redistribution, inclusion must be built through investment, connectivity and effective multilevel governance. Only with new financial tools and a renewed sense of purpose — a true European moonshot — can Europe bridge the gap between ambition and delivery.