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.

During the June 24 E5 press statements in Berlin, Merz explicitly regrets Starmer's coming departure and thanks him for cooperation. Macron praises his courage, dignity, decency and contribution to Britain's role in Europe and NATO; Meloni thanks him for Italian–British and European cooperation; Tusk credits him with greater security, unity and easing Brexit's shadow. Starmer responds by reviewing two years of restored allied relationships and commitment to respect and the rule of law. These are contemporaneous tributes and his own positive legacy account, not evidence that he resigns or leaves office at this appearance.