The Federal Chancellor at the European Council
Following the summit meeting of the European political community, Federal Chancellor Scholz met his 26 counterparts from the European Union for talks in small groups in Granada in Spain. According to the Federal Chancellor the key issue was “how we want to develop the EU to prepare it for the future , particularly with regard to the enlargement process.”
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Speaking at the informal European Council meeting in Spain, Federal Chancellor Scholz said, “The EU must get ready for the challenges of the future.”
Photo: Federal Government/Kügeler
At the concluding press conference Federal Chancellor Scholz again described the meeting of the European Political Community as a success, stressing his view that the meeting had brought together many countries which would not have been present at a meeting of the European Union. According to Scholz, the meeting had been an opportunity to talk about shared principles which had been harmed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and in particular the principle that it is no longer acceptable to move borders through the use of force.
Scholz also emphasised how important it was that many people see themselves as part of a much larger whole in supporting Ukraine. He noted that Germany was the second-largest provider of support to Ukraine after the US. He also stressed that, “ultimately we will have to continue this support in the coming years if the war goes on that long.” Scholz also condemned the missile attack on a food store and a café in Kharkiv. “These are shocking proof of the brutality of the Russian assault,” Scholz said.
Accelerating reforms needed for EU enlargement process
Another key issue when the 27 leaders met on Friday was the question of “how we want to develop the EU to make it ready to face the future, particularly with regard to the enlargement process,” Scholz said. Last year the European Council accepted Ukraine and Moldova into the group of accession candidates, which now numbers eight countries.
“I am personally convinced that enlargement is good for our Europe,” Scholz said. He also stressed the need for Balkan states to have good prospects for joining. The Federal Chancellor reminded those present that 20 years ago the Western Balkans states had been given an assurance that they would be accepted into the EU. “At some point, something actually needs to come of it,” Scholz said.
More qualified majority decisions needed
If the EU is to be enlarged, Scholz said, it needs to be capable of enlargement. He expressed his satisfaction that discussions on this point had started, but he made it clear that the Union must take decisions related to geopolitical sovereignty on a qualified majority basis. “This will allow us to take action and prevent a single member from holding up necessary decisions,” he said, adding that this applied both to foreign policy and questions of taxation.
The EU was operating in a new geopolitical environment, Scholz said, so it was also important to communicate as equals with countries in the Global South.
Photo series: Federal Chancellor Scholz at the informal European Council meeting
Granada, 5 October 2023: Following its foundation last year, the members of the European Political Community held their third summit in Granada, Spain, to which the heads of state and governments of the 27 EU member states and 20 others from non-EU affiliated European countries were invited in addition to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
According to Federal Chancellor Scholz, the EPC provides a regular exchange of ideas at the political level that has so far been lacking. He views it as a forum where “EU leaders and our European partners come together once or twice a year to discuss the key issues that affect our entire continent as a whole, which include security, energy, the climate, and connectivity."
In a meeting with EU Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Federal Chancellor Scholz "attempted to find ways to ensure and guarantee Armenia's security and independence, and how we might do everything we can to prevent a military escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan".
Federal Chancellor Scholz also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Granada. He assured him that "Germany will be providing a large amount of support for the task ahead both in financial and humanitarian terms as well as with arms deliveries."
Following the EPC summit, the Federal chancellor issued a press statement in which he spoke of the threat posed by Russia, which, he said, was attempting to seize territory from its neighbouring country by force, adding that this represented a "danger for the security and peace order throughout Europe".
Managing and limiting migration
The European Council also addressed questions of migration. “I am delighted that we managed to reach agreement on a common European asylum policy,” Scholz said. “It was urgently required.” In light of all the Council’s decisions this year, Scholz said he was hopeful that the European Parliament would also be able to reach a consensus by the end of the current legislative period.
These are questions of “control and management, particularly as regards irregular migration,” Scholz said. At the same time, he said, we need skilled workers, which gives us an opportunity, as migration partnerships with countries of origin and transit could cover both elements. On the one hand they could facilitate routes for the workers and skilled professionals who are needed, while on the other hand the partnerships could include simple procedures for returning those who are not eligible to remain in this country. The Federal Chancellor cited the agreement with Turkey as an example, noting that it had worked well for many years.
You can read more about the European Political Community meeting the day before the informal European Council meeting at “We Germans continue to support Ukraine”.