Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) hosted European Council President António Costa in Berlin on Wednesday to discuss bolstering Europe’s defense capabilities and competitiveness.
During a press statement, Merz emphasized the importance of considering the recent reports from Enrico Letta, former Italian Prime Minister, focusing on deepening the European single market and from Mario Draghi, also a former Italian Prime Minister and ECB President, addressing the strengthening of European competitiveness. He advocated for these reports to serve as a foundation for collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the European Union’s position globally.
The ongoing discussion regarding the European Union’s multi-year financial framework was also highlighted as a key topic requiring sustained attention over the next 18-24 months. This meeting with President Costa, Merz indicated, is designed to pave the way for an informal gathering scheduled for October 1st in Copenhagen and the regular meeting planned for the end of October in Brussels.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Merz affirmed agreement with President Costa regarding the significant role Qatar has played in mediating efforts towards a ceasefire in Gaza. He stated the shared objective of swiftly achieving a ceasefire and confirmed ongoing dialogue with various regional stakeholders.
Furthermore, Chancellor Merz strongly condemned the recent violation of Polish airspace as “completely unacceptable”. He stated that Russia had seriously endangered lives in Poland and characterized the Russian government’s actions as part of a series of provocations observed in the Baltic Sea region and along NATO’s eastern flank. He reiterated the German government’s firm condemnation of Russia’s aggressive behavior and welcomed the collaboration between Poland and its NATO allies in recognizing and mitigating the threat.