European Arctic Summit: Merz calls for NATO cohesion

At the start of the European Arctic Summit, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) called on NATO allies to stand together against growing threats. “Here in the far north of Europe you can see how endangered peace in Europe is,” said Merz in Rovaniemi, Finland, near the Arctic Circle, where he is meeting with other EU heads of state and government and EU representatives. “I can only appeal to all of us to take this threat seriously.”

Finland has a border with Russia that is more than 1,300 kilometers long and has only just joined NATO, mainly because of the threat from the east. Every effort must be made to defend peace and freedom together, said Merz. He came to Finland to set exactly this example.

Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and other allied heads of government supported him. When asked by a journalist whether Merz was still a reliable partner despite the current domestic political crisis, Orpo replied: “Absolutely.” He added: "He is the same chancellor as before. We have a very good working relationship and he plays a very big and very important role in the European Union."

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda made similar comments. He also warned that more must be done to address domestic political challenges. He praised German foreign policy in terms of support for Ukraine and Germany's role within the European Union, but added: "People want more." You also have to deliver in terms of the economy, employment and growth, otherwise you will be punished by voters. Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs praised Merz's role in the talks about the importance of the Arctic.