Summit in Brussels: The next summit: Merz meets EU colleagues

G7, NATO-and now EU: Chancellor Friedrich Merz continues his series of summit premieres and is expected this Thursday for his first EU leap in Brussels. Just one day after the NATO summit in the Hague, the CDU chairman meets the heads of state and government of the other 26 EU countries, among other things, to advise on developments in the Middle East and the further support of Ukraine in defense against Russia.

Devatiator in Russia sanctions?

Ukraine, whose President Wolodymyr Selenskyj is switched on by video, is to continue to be promised. So far, it is unclear whether all 27 Member States can really agree on it – or whether Hungary’s head of government Viktor Orban refuses to do so for the third email as a result of a joint declaration of final.

There should also be a debate for further sanctions against Russia. The focus of the planned 18th package of measures should be the Russian energy and banking sector. However, the decision of the package requires unanimity – and Hungary’s approval and Slovakia were recently questionable.

How continues the cooperation between Israel and the EU?

With regard to the situation in the Middle East, the continuation of a partnership agreement between the EU and Israel should also be discussed. The background is a test report, according to Israel with his approach in the Gaza Strip against defined principles for close cooperation with the community of states. For the governments of the Member States and the EU, the question arises as to whether and how they react to it.

While Member States such as Spain are pleading for a suspension of the agreement, Germany represents a different position: “An out -of -counter law or even termination of this agreement is out of the question with the federal government,” said Merz.

Separate meetings for migration policy

The topic of migration policy also continues to employ the top of the EU member states. Several heads of state and government, including from Italy and Denmark, come together before the official meeting began to advise on dealing with – especially illegal – immigration. Merz also takes part.

Together with everyone, one should then agree to intensify the work in several areas: This includes, in particular, extensive partnerships with origin and transit countries, the consistent implementation and application of the existing EU rules as well as new ways to combat irregular migration- in accordance with EU and international law. This emerges from a draft of the summit declaration that is available to the German Press Agency.

A few days ago, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a letter to the EU head of state and government to classify the state of affairs before the meeting. In it she spoke of a “decisive moment” for the implementation of migration and asylum pact and emphasized the need for increased efforts at national and European level.

The leader of the parliamentary group of the Middle Rights Alliance, Manfred Weber, also called for a more decisive approach: “The internal border controls set a clear sign: illegal migration must be significantly reduced,” said the CSU politician of the German Press Agency. The aim must be to make controls within Europe superfluous – for example through recording centers outside the EU, more border protection personnel and a more effective deportation regulation.

Economic issues also on the agenda

In addition, there are discussions on Europe’s competitiveness and the customs conflict with the US government conducted by President Donald Trump. Furthermore, it is expected that the heads of state and government of the euro introduction in Bulgaria will agree in the coming year.

According to EU diplomats, French President Emmanuel Macron also wants to seek the conversation on how the EU climate goals can be brought into harmony with the needs of the economy. The European Commission plans to submit a proposal for the EU climate target 2040 next week.