Germany's Federal Ministry of Finance reported that the finance ministers of Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain held a video conference under an E6 format to advance European sovereignty, agreeing to push four priority workstreams at pace. The agenda covers faster progress on the Savings and Investment Union to improve financing conditions for European companies, especially start-ups and scale-ups, including accelerating EU-level files and the FIVE initiative to finance scale-ups. It also targets strengthening the international role of the euro through improved competitiveness, stronger macroeconomic conditions, reduced bureaucracy and greater sovereignty in digital payments, including the digital euro and European payment systems. A third track focuses on more efficient defence investment through deeper member state cooperation, national implementation of joint EU initiatives and stronger emphasis on defence in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, alongside joint weapons systems and joint procurement. The fourth priority seeks to secure critical raw materials and reliable supply chains via closer European coordination and strategic cooperation with international partners. An in-person follow-up meeting is planned in the coming weeks to take the work forward.

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