Merz sets E5 priorities Defence, Ukraine and Iran

Jun 24

In his complete June 24 Berlin opening statement, Friedrich Merz welcomes Macron, Meloni, Starmer and Tusk for preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara. He thanks Starmer for their cooperation and explicitly regrets his coming departure from office. He says Rutte joined the working session from Washington and that he will brief Trump, Erdoğan and other partners. Merz presents five messages: allied unity; a stronger European pillar and implementation of the Hague commitments, including raising defence spending to 3.5% and Germany's aim to reach that level in 2029; joint European and transatlantic defence policy and industrial work on air defence, standoff weapons, AI and other systems; a proposed firm European NATO funding commitment to Kyiv, sustained support and a call for Russian peace talks; and support for the U.S.–Iran framework and follow-up negotiations in Bürgenstock, with a German contribution conditional on prerequisites being met. These are his proposals, plans and assessments, rather than completed summit decisions or a verified deployment.

At the June 24 Berlin press statements, Merz welcomes the U.S.–Iran framework and supports follow-up negotiations in Bürgenstock, promising a German contribution when prerequisites are met. Macron supports the accord and participation in an ad hoc Hormuz mission while saying conditions still need definition; he also voices support for lasting peace and full Lebanese sovereignty. Meloni welcomes the signing but stresses uncertainty and the strategic importance of secure shipping, saying Italy's willingness to help remains conditional. These are European diplomatic and mission-support statements. They establish neither a new U.S.–Iran signing that day, a deployed Hormuz mission nor resolved participation conditions.