The Four Motors for Europe regions meet former Italian PM Enrico Letta to discuss European competitiveness and reforms
On March 11, 2025, Lombardy invited institutional representatives from partner regions Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Baden-Württemberg and Catalonia to a summit, both online and in presence, at Palazzo Lombardia, with Prof. Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Italian Prime Minister, who presented the main findings of his report “Much more than a market”.
Prof. Letta offered an analysis of the current state of the European Single Market, proposing strategic recommendations to address the contemporary challenges faced by the European Union. The discussion addressed relevant topics for the development of the Four Motors regions, such as cohesion and competitiveness policies, the introduction of a fifth freedom focused on research, innovation, knowledge and education, transport and infrastructures, and the green and digital transitions.
The meeting was attended by prominent institutional figures, including Lombardy President Attilio Fontana, Vice President Marco Alparone and Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary at the Presidency for International and European Relations, as well as Philippe Meunier, Vice President of region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Florian Hassler, State Secretary of Baden-Württemberg and Jaume Duch Guillot, Minister for European Union and Foreign Action of Catalonia.
Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region:
President Fontana stated that the report presented by Prof. Enrico Letta represents an important point of reflection with a clear and purposeful vision, spanning from digitalization to ecological transition, from economic security to international competitiveness. He underlined how crucial these issues are for the future of the Regions of the Four Motors, territories that already excel in every sector and can benefit enormously from a more integrated and dynamic single market.
President Fontana declared that the Four Motors for Europe are therefore ready to listen to and discuss together the proposals put forward, with the will to actively contribute to the construction of a stronger and more cohesive Europe, in which the four Regions want to be increasingly protagonists.
Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary at the Presidency for International and European Relations of the Lombardy Region:
Undersecretary Cattaneo expressed his appreciation to Prof. Enrico Letta for accepting the invitation of Lombardy Region to present his “High-Level Report” on the European Single Market in the presence of President Fontana and representatives of the Four Motors of Europe.
He stressed that the future of European competitiveness and the integration of the Single Market passes through a different protagonism of the regions, and the Four Motors region will be at the forefront to make their voices heard.
Philippe Meunier, Vice President of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes:
Vice-President Philippe Meunier welcomed the Letta report, which addresses a number of key issues that the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region has made a priority in its day-to-day public action. Recalling that the Letta report provides strong support for cohesion policy, Vice-President Meunier stressed that cohesion policy must continue to benefit all regions and territories, whatever their overall level of development, with an adequate budget.
The operational management of cohesion policy must remain at regional level to maintain the territorial dimension of cohesion and enhance the visibility of European action for citizens.
He specifically stated that European Territorial Cooperation is a very important tool that has high added value for the driving forces of border areas and for cross-border cooperation.
Florian Hassler, State Secretary of Baden-Württemberg:
The European single market is a success story for our four economically strong regions. From Baden-Württemberg's point of view: more than half of our exports go to the EU's internal market. One in three jobs in the region depends on exports.
However, the profound transformation of the EU economy and global market tensions have particular effects on the regions that are economically strong and competitive.
The Letta report on the future of the Single Market has been an important stimulus for this and a basis for many of the Commission's initiatives announced for this year.
The report rightly points out the importance of cohesion policy. We believe that cohesion policy is still needed for all regions. In its future design, the well-established principles such as shared management and implementation by the regions must be maintained.
Jaume Duch Guillot, Minister for European Union and Foreign Action of Catalonia:
Minister Duch strongly endorsed the Letta report, highlighting its influence on crucial EU documents such as the Competitiveness Compass and the European Commission’s Work Programme. He emphasised that the Program for the Catalan Presidency of the Four Motors for Europe (2025-2026) is aligned with these strategic frameworks. Duch particularly welcomed Letta’s focus on the "freedom to stay," stressing the importance of ensuring that people have the opportunity to build their future in their home regions.
In his exchange with PM Letta, Minister Duch covered key topics such as the limits of simplification and deregulation to avoid undermining environmental and social protections; the potential economic and social impacts of the EU’s increased focus on defence, and the need to push forward major EU infrastructures such as the Mediterranean Corridor.
The gathering thus reaffirmed the commitment of the Four Motors for Europe in actively contributing to the development of the European governance. In conclusion, Prof. Letta praised the meeting, underlining the need for an increased protagonism of the regions in shaping the future of European competitiveness and the integration of the single market, and offering his support to the Four Motors network for further initiatives.