EU Summit in Brussels/ War in Iran, at the center of discussions

2026-03-19 11:25:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The EU summit was originally supposed to focus on Europe's competitiveness and how to prepare the EU for the future. But now, with energy prices rising sharply, attention is being turned to a war taking place 5,000 kilometers away that will shape Thursday's EU summit.

The consequences of the Iran war are also being felt in Brussels. In his government statement, Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a quick end to the war. But how?

Who has access to US President Donald Trump now that he feels abandoned by the Europeans? Trump called the lack of support for his war against Iran shocking, saying it will not be forgotten.

The effects of the war are felt in the EU

European heads of state and government are caught in a dilemma: on the one hand, they want this war to end as quickly as possible, and on the other, they want to be involved in it as little as possible.

At the first meeting of heads of state and government since the start of the Iran-Iraq War, the question arises: Will everyone speak with one voice and be for restraint, or will there be some countries willing to participate in opening the Strait of Hormuz?

The effects affect almost all EU countries. What can be done about high energy prices? Should oil companies be subject to a profit tax? And what is the risk posed by refugees from the region? These are all topics for discussion at the summit.

Ukraine expects billions in aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is participating in the meeting via video link and will remind heads of state and government that attacks against his country continue unabated. Ukraine urgently needs money for daily life and to organize its defense.

The EU had promised 90 billion euros in loans. Hungary has blocked the disbursement. Viktor Orbán, known for his pro-Russian stance, faces elections in the country; changing his stance will not be easy.

Good news from the economy

The European Union is in the middle of two wars, and it's hard to find any positive news in such a climate. But such news comes, precisely from the business sector. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented simplified rules for startups in the EU just in time. Any entrepreneur can create a company within 48 hours, from anywhere in the EU, and for less than 100 euros, she declared in Brussels.

The data will be stored once and transferred to all member states. Despite the many topics on the agenda, the organizer, Council President Antonio Costas, expects the summit to be concluded within a day in his two-page invitation letter. If that doesn't happen, the EU heads of state and government are in for a very long night. /DW