Europe leaders reaffirm unity on defence ahead of Ankara NATO summit
European leaders met Wednesday in Berlin ahead of next month's NATO summit in Ankarai to discuss European defence and security guarantees for Ukraine, following tensions with the United States and among the main European members.
By FRANCE 24
A joint statement "affirmed their unwavering commitment to Euro-Atlantic security and the transatlantic bond".
Behind the messages of unity, Merz's invitation to Berlin came after several incidents that laid bare tensions over defence and security issues among the main European partners.
Berlin and Paris have seen their long-delayed FCAS joint fighter project abandoned over strategic and management disagreements, underlining the difficulties Europe has faced in joining forces to rebuild its defences as Trump has increasingly turned away from NATO.
Watch moreEnd of FCAS 'flagship project' marks setback for Franco-German cooperation and European defence
In recent months, Washington has criticised the alliance for its reluctance to support the US-Israeli war on Iran and threatened to draw down troops in Europe.
Read moreUS will review its military presence in Europe, Hegseth tells NATO
Germany, France and Britain, the so-called E3 group, have also faced criticism from some European capitals, including Rome and Warsaw, that they have kept other countries from talks with Ukraine.
Merz, who has previously insisted that the E3 arrangement is intended to ensure Europe can act quickly, did not address differences directly but stressed the aim of reinforcing a joint approach, including a strong partnership with the United States.
"We are travelling this path together," he said, adding, "Unilateral national actions in our defence policy would be a mistake."
He said he would speak to Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as other partners to inform them of the discussions on Wednesday.
Read moreNATO's Rutte aims to soothe Trump on White House visit ahead of July summit
The leaders offered warm tributes to Starmer, who had sought to strengthen ties with Europe after Britain's referendum to leave the European Union a decade ago.
Read more'Significant damage': How Brexit is still draining the UK economy 10 years later
"We have become one in many ways again," said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. "Thanks to your work, it was possible to forget about Brexit for a moment. I will remember that for a long time."
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)