• German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called for a “two-speed Europe” to make the European Union more competitive
• Klingbeil said Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Italy, Netherlands will take the lead in making Europe stronger and more independent
• Klingbeil proposed a four-point plan to the “E6 group” on how to deepen the region’s capital markets and improve access to funding, strengthen the euro, better coordinate defense investments, and secure raw materials by reducing their dependence on imported critical raw materials from countries including China

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Klingbeil said the coalition of countries needs to move faster on the Savings and Investment Union to create better financing conditions for European businesses and in particular Europe’s start-ups and scale-ups.

The second point focuses on the international role of the euro as a safe haven based on predictability and the rule of law, Klingbeil said, calling for cuts to red tape and enhancing sovereignty in the payment sphere.

Regarding defence spending, Klingbeil called for better cooperation among member states and for firmly embedding defence as a priority in the next EU multiannual budget, “turning defence into an engine for growth.”

To secure strategic rare earth supplies, the German minister said efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience for critical minerals must be intensified, with greater strategic engagement with international partners.