Madrid was excluded from pre-summit talks convened by Rome and Berlin on the bloc's economic future

Spain has accused Italy and Germany of "undermining EU solidarity" after it was excluded from an informal pre-summit meeting convened by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Chancellor Friedrich Merz to map out the bloc's economic future.

The closed-door gathering took place Thursday at Alden Biesen castle in Belgium, hosted by Italy's Meloni, Germany's Merz and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Nineteen countries attended, including France, Poland, the Netherlands, and Hungary. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also in the room. Spain was the only major EU power left out.

Government sources in Madrid told the media that they had complained to Rome about the exclusion, not to request an invitation, but to argue that such side-deals "push solutions further away" rather than bringing Europe together.

The agenda, outlined in a joint Italian-German-Belgian document, focused on several priorities, including the completion of the Single Market, regulatory simplification, reduction of energy prices, and an "ambitious and pragmatic" trade policy. Leaders also discussed revising emissions charges and industrial relaunch initiatives. Participants agreed to reconvene at the European Council in March.

Spain has previously voiced support for policies at odds with the Italian-German proposals, including eurobonds, "Made in Europe" procurement preferences, and slower implementation of a trade deal between the EU and the South American bloc Mercosur that aims to establish a 700-million-consumer free trade zone.

The Italian-German push comes as the EU faces mounting industrial decline. Officials note the three pillars underpinning Europe's post-Cold War model - cheap Russian energy, open access to China, and the US security umbrella - have collapsed.

The bloc's most energy-intensive industries currently face structurally higher costs than before the Ukraine conflict. The chemical sector has lost 20,000 jobs, while labor productivity has fallen to 78.5% of US levels, according to Commission data.