First EU summit for Scholz: Many crises – little consensus

For Chancellor Scholz it is another first: In Brussels, he will meet for the first time with the heads of state and government for the EU summit. There are several controversial topics waiting – for example, Russia’s behavior on the border with Ukraine.

It’s a crisis – in several ways. And Europe’s heads of state and government have to prove once again that they can at least somehow manage this together. It will not be easy for them, because even within the 27 there are still and sometimes considerable differences of opinion.

Most important in terms of foreign policy is the situation with a view to Ukraine and the Russian troop movements there. That makes all European governments nervous – especially the Polish one, but also those in the Baltic States and Slovakia. The EU Commission has already made it clear that Europe would not just watch a Russian attack on Ukraine – but what there could be besides sanctions is unclear.

Germany reluctant

The EU is looking for its strategic compass and wants to launch a new basic security policy document, which has been given the same title, but is not yet ready. France has long been pushing for a more closely coordinated European foreign policy – and for more of its own European defense capability.

Germany and the new federal government are still reluctant – but open to any discussion, says Chancellor Olaf Scholz: “France is our closest ally and Franco-German friendship is the indispensable foundation of the European Union.”

Discontent also with debt rules

This is also seen in Brussels – and the EU Commission is not making any foreign policy advances without having at least discussed it with Berlin and Paris, they say. Nevertheless: the Franco-German engine does not run perfectly. Example: European debt rules.

One has to say goodbye to some taboos, says French President Emmanuel Macron. A three percent budget deficit in the national debt should not be a fetish. So far, things have always been viewed differently in Germany, and the traffic light coalition remains loyal to this.

Nuclear energy, gas prices, Nord Stream 2

A contrast that will not be discussed openly at the summit any more than the very different views on the question of whether nuclear energy should really be viewed as climate-neutral energy in Europe. There is a considerable need for discussion between the heads of government on the energy issue – if only because of the current record prices for gas.

Millions of Europeans could no longer pay their energy bills, says EU Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans. He would like to open the gas market for joint gas purchases by the EU – which France welcomes, but Germany is skeptical. The controversial Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline also plays a role in all of this and doesn’t make things any easier.

Agreement on pandemic control

The 27 member states at least agree that the high energy prices are not good for the economy in Europe. Neither does the ongoing corona pandemic.

The concern about the Omikron variant makes you unsafe. The epidemiological situation remains extremely worrying in Europe, as the chief biologist of the European Medicines Agency Marco Cavallerie put it – and he should speak to the heads of government from the soul. They have to accelerate their vaccination campaigns, slow down the uncontrolled spread of corona, and ensure that the vaccine is adapted.

And: They have to find each other in terms of foreign policy, despite all differences within Europe. Concrete decisions are not expected at this summit in Brussels, but intensive discussions.