EU summit 2025: Stocker demands solutions for Iran and migration!

EU summit 2025: Stocker demands solutions for Iran and migration!

Brüssel, Belgien - Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) was satisfied with the course of the EU summit in Brussels on June 27, 2025, which ended shortly before midnight. The intensive agenda dealt with numerous central topics, including the tense situations in the Middle East, in particular the military disputes in Iran and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Stocker underlined the urgency of taking negotiations after the military blows in Iran and granting the nuclear authority access to nuclear institutions.

In the Gaza Strip, the situation remains critical, since hostages are still not released and the humanitarian situation was described as unacceptable. Austria decidedly spoke out against a suspension of the association agreement between the EU and Israel. This rejection was also expressed by Chancellor Stocker, while he emphasized the need for a dialogue in this sensitive situation.

migration policy and competitiveness

Another central theme of the summit was migration, in which 21 out of 27 EU countries worked intensively on solutions. Austria makes a significant contribution. Stocker announced important next steps, such as the introduction of a return regulation, the definition of secure third countries and the improvement of the external border protection.

Discussions about the reform of the common asylum system and about deportation centers in third countries were also the focus. In this context, there was talk of possible partnerships with origin and transit countries.

collaboration in foreign policy

The Slovak attitude towards the EU sanctioning of Russia remains unsafe. While the existing sanction regime was extended by another six months, there was no tightening of the measures. Slovakia only accepts the support for the 18th sanction package, which focuses on the energy and banking sector and the shadow fleet, if a safe natural gas supply can be guaranteed. There is also disagreement within the EU countries regarding the cooperation with Israel in terms of a review of the association agreement.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his concern for the support of Ukraine after the youngest EU and NATO peaks. In addition to the Ukraine aid, the topic of defense spending was addressed, whereby a proposal by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was discussed on the use of EU competition fund for defense and space. Merz called for specific policies from the NATO decisions and referred to the need to strengthen industry, especially chemistry, pharmacy and mechanical engineering.

economic challenges and climate goals

The customs conflict with the USA also played a central role in the summit. Merz called for a faster simplification of the negotiations and pointed out the urgent need to conclude a customs agreement by July 9th. France President Emmanuel Macron wants to reconcile the EU climate goals with the economic needs.

Overall, the heads of state and government raised the euro introduction in Bulgaria for next year, which is a positive development for economic integration within the EU. The consultations about these topics will continue in July 2025, while the challenges and decisions that affect the Union are still on the table.

for more information about the course of the EU summit, see vienna.at, ZDF and Tagesschau.