Former Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who presented his assessment on European competitiveness at a joint news conference with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday morning, emphasized the need for a "radical change" to safeguard the EU's survival. Draghi, in a document including 170 proposals "compiled without any pressure", underlined three major areas on which Europe must focus: "innovation, energy, and security". Draghi stated that Europe must improve coordination between member countries and EU institutions, minimizing the number of unanimous decisions while fostering stronger cooperation and joint debt. He also emphasized the significance of addressing difficulties connected to decarbonization and energy security, as well as minimizing reliance on third countries. In short, this is an urgent and concrete call to action to confront economic issues and assure Europe's long-term growth. According to Draghi's study, Europe must first address the innovation deficit. Second, in order to cut energy prices and capitalize on decarbonization's industrial prospects, Europe requires a joint decarbonization and competitiveness plan that assures that Europe's ambitious decarbonization demand is matched by leadership in the technologies that will deliver it". A process that "must incorporate the energy-producing businesses that allow for decarbonization, such as clean technology and automotive, as well as the so-called 'hard to abate' industries". In addition, the EU will have to minimize its dependence on external sources: "Given the dependence on imports ranging from raw materials to advanced technology, the EU will have to develop a real 'foreign economic policy' that coordinates preferential trade agreements and direct investments with resource-rich nations”. However, Draghi also recognizes the fact that "Europe will also need to develop a strong and independent defense industrial capability that allows it to meet the growing demand for military resources and equipment and remain at the forefront of defense technology".