00:00Hey, do you like receiving letters?
00:04Ursula von der Leyen just wrote one to all 27 EU leaders.
00:09And it goes like this.
00:11Where a lack of progress risks undermining Europe's competitiveness,
00:15we should not shy away from using the possibilities foreseen in the treaties on enhanced cooperation.
00:22Confused?
00:23Don't worry, your reporter also struggled.
00:27But in simple words, it's all about new European super speed club.
00:32So let's break it down.
00:34In her letter von der Leyen is essentially saying,
00:38if we cannot agree now as 27, let's break the taboo and move forward in smaller groups.
00:44And the so-called enhanced cooperation will allow a group of at least 9 countries
00:50shift up a gear without waiting for the others.
00:53And those considered troublemakers.
00:56They can keep pumping the brakes.
00:58But they are about to be left in the rear view mirror.
01:01But buckle up, because that's not the only bold idea.
01:05Emmanuel Macron is pushing for future-oriented euro bonds.
01:09So a massive common debt for strategic projects.
01:12And this is already happening with the 90 billion euro Ukraine loan,
01:16which is bypassing Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia.
01:19And this also shows not everyone is ready for a Hamiltonian moment.
01:24But the trend is clear.
01:27And the EU is finally trying to reform itself.
01:31Back in September von der Leyen suggested limiting veto rights,
01:35which are often used by some member states to derail collective action.
01:39We need to move to qualified majorities in some areas, for example in foreign policy.
01:44It is time to break free from the shackles of unanimity.
01:48And the motivation is clear too.
01:50Because if Brussels doesn't learn to drive fast,
01:54it will not just be overtaken.
01:56It might end up in the scrapyard.
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