European Union member states must put the bloc's sovereignty over national independence to be competitive in the face of the United States and China, Enrico Letta told Euronews, referring to the EU's two rival economies as "giants".
His comments come ahead of key elections in 2027, the outcome of which could have profound consequences for the political balance in the EU, particularly the presidential elections in France.
Last week's decision by Marine Le Pen to run in the presidential race has left Brussels fearing a rupture in its ties with Paris. The National Rally figurehead campaigned to take France out of the Eurozone a decade ago.
She has since pivoted, vowing to reshape the European Union from within and advocating for a bloc of sovereign nations.
Letta told Euronews' interview programme 12 Minutes With that the notion that national sovereignty can trump European sovereignty in the current complex economic climate is "false."
