On the eve of the June European Council, AE welcomes a Polish Presidency that gave shape to a sovereign Europe; we now place our hopes in the Danish Presidency to carry this momentum forward.
The June 2025 European Council will serve as a political endorsement platform for several key deliverables of the Polish Presidency. In defence and security policy, the Council’s review of defence readiness, the SAFE initiative, and industrial capacity gaps provides political momentum to Poland’s push for operationalising Europe’s military autonomy. On Ukraine and enlargement, the summit reflects Poland’s advocacy for a structured path to Ukrainian EU accession, framing the war as a test of EU unity and strategic maturity. In the area of rule of law and democracy, the Council’s engagement on democratic resilience and internal checks and balances aligns with both Poland’s domestic political objectives and the EU’s broader institutional credibility. Finally, on competitiveness and deregulatory reform, Poland’s agenda is advanced through the simplification of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and continued Single Market initiatives, with strong emphasis on support for SMEs and clean industry visible in both legislative outcomes and strategic debates.
Ave Europa welcomes these developments. The reinforced and unwavering support for Ukraine, the defence of the rule of law and democratic institutions, and targeted deregulatory measures capable of unleashing industrial and entrepreneurial energy across Europe are all essential. Deepening the Single Market—following the recommendations of the Draghi and Letta twin reports—is a necessary step to stimulate pan-European investment. Carbon protection measures on imports are a positive move toward fair and sustainable competition; however, adjustments are needed to ensure they support importers in the green transition and incentivise third countries to adopt high environmental standards. Clean tech must become a cornerstone of European influence—driving innovation, sustainability, and strategic autonomy—rather than a well-meaning ambition that falls short of serving our long-term interests.
Introduction – European Council of 26–27 June 2025
The European Council meeting scheduled for 26 and 27 June 2025 will take place at a pivotal moment for the European Union, as it confronts mounting geopolitical instability, internal security concerns, and renewed calls for strategic economic consolidation. In line with Article 3(1) of its Rules of Procedure, the annotated draft agenda submitted by the President of the European Council—prepared in close cooperation with the rotating Presidency and the President of the Commission—sets the tone for what is expected to be a high-stakes and multidimensional summit.
At the heart of the discussions will be the Union’s continued response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, reaffirming the EU’s long-term political, military and financial support. Parallel attention will be given to developments in the Middle East, where recent escalations demand a coordinated diplomatic posture.
The agenda also foregrounds European defence and security, reflecting the leaders’ determination to decisively enhance the Union’s readiness and strategic autonomy over the next five years. Building on recent initiatives such as SAFE and successive waves of PESCO, the European Council will assess progress made and provide direction on key issues including funding mobilisation, industrial capacity, and critical capability gaps.
Under the external relations heading, leaders will evaluate the EU’s global positioning and prepare for forthcoming summits with strategic partners. On the economic front, the Council will review competitiveness measures, track implementation of the Single Market agenda, and conclude the 2025 European Semester through a discussion on country-specific recommendations.
Finally, migration remains a central policy challenge. The European Council will examine the implementation of its existing conclusions on this issue and consider further steps to ensure coherent and effective management of migration flows.
This meeting is expected to reinforce the EU’s strategic direction across a wide spectrum of external and internal priorities, combining immediate responses to crises with longer-term policy coordination in defence, economic resilience, and democratic governance.
I. Programme of the European Council – 26–27 June 2025
Strategic Priorities and Policy Directions
The upcoming European Council meeting on 26–27 June 2025 will bring together Heads of State and Government to address a dense and high-stakes agenda. The annotated draft, presented by the President of the European Council in cooperation with the rotating Presidency and the European Commission, outlines a structured response to pressing internal and external challenges facing the Union. This session comes at a moment of convergence between security imperatives, institutional reform, and regulatory streamlining. Preparatory discussions held by the General Affairs Council on 27 May 2025 have clarified the political landscape ahead of the June summit.
1. Foreign Policy and Geopolitical Crises
a. Ukraine and the War of Aggression by Russia
The European Council will reaffirm the EU’s commitment to Ukraine, addressing the war in all its dimensions. Discussions will cover military support, reconstruction planning, sanctions enforcement, and accession-related cooperation. This agenda point is expected to lead to renewed commitments on financial and defence assistance and potentially, a political signal regarding Ukraine’s EU trajectory.
b. Middle East
EU leaders will review the latest developments in the Middle East, including escalation risks, humanitarian implications, and diplomatic initiatives. The discussion will likely revisit the EU’s engagement in multilateral fora, support for regional stability, and the need for coordinated European diplomatic messaging.
2. Security and Defence
a. Defence Readiness and Investment
Building on the European Council’s previous conclusions calling for a decisive acceleration of defence readiness, leaders will take stock of the SAFE programme (Security Action for Europe), officially adopted as an “A” item during the May Council meeting. With a €150 billion envelope, SAFE is the first EU-level defence investment programme of this scale and is expected to serve as the financial backbone of European strategic autonomy in the coming decade.
b. Industrial Base and Capability Gaps
Discussions will include mobilisation of funding, mitigation of industrial fragmentation, and efforts to close critical capability gaps. The objective is to ensure that European defence policy translates into concrete and scalable procurement, research, and interoperability outcomes.
3. EU External Relations
a. Strategic Partnerships and Upcoming Summits
The European Council will review preparations for forthcoming summits with key international partners. Against a backdrop of global economic and political volatility, leaders are expected to define common priorities in relations with the United States, China, the Western Balkans, and the Global South.
4. Economic Policy and Competitiveness
a. Single Market and Industrial Strategy
The Council will assess the implementation of previous decisions to strengthen competitiveness and complete the Single Market. In particular, discussions will follow up on the European Council’s March 2024 roadmap for industrial transformation and digital leadership.
b. European Semester
On the basis of a horizontal note prepared by the Council, leaders will also be invited to validate the integrated country-specific recommendations for the 2025 European Semester, concluding this annual cycle of economic coordination.
c. Regulatory Simplification – CBAM Reform
Ministers have already adopted a general approach to simplify the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), part of the Commission’s “Omnibus I” package. The Council’s position preserves the environmental ambition of the regulation while reducing compliance costs for EU firms, notably SMEs. The European Council is likely to endorse the direction of travel and instruct further progress on deregulatory efforts with an economic competitiveness lens.
5. Migration
The European Council will take stock of the implementation of its migration-related conclusions, particularly in light of recent legislative developments and ongoing operational challenges at external borders. Topics may include the Pact on Migration and Asylum, external dimension agreements with third countries, and mechanisms for solidarity and responsibility-sharing among Member States.
6. Rule of Law and Democratic Resilience
a. Article 7 TEU Procedure – Hungary
The Council held its eighth hearing on Hungary under Article 7(1) TEU, addressing persistent concerns over judicial independence, anti-corruption, media freedom, and minority rights. While no new measures were adopted, the hearing reinforces the continued scrutiny of Hungary’s democratic trajectory.
b. Annual Rule of Law Dialogue
The Council reviewed rule of law developments in Slovakia, Sweden, and Belgium, based on the 2024 Commission Report. Delegations exchanged on national reforms, challenges, and best practices. The European Council is expected to underline the importance of sustaining this structured dialogue and its link to conditionality mechanisms.
c. Democracy Shield and Presidency Conclusions
Ministers endorsed the presidency’s draft conclusions on strengthening EU democratic resilience, which now feed into the European Commission’s upcoming “European Democracy Shield” initiative. The conclusions emphasize civic education, media pluralism, digital security, and responses to disinformation. Though not formally adopted by all Member States, the presidency’s conclusions will likely be referenced in the June summit.
7. Institutional and Language Policy
Catalan, Basque and Galician in EU Language Regime
Spain’s request to include Catalan, Basque, and Galician under Regulation No 1/1958 was discussed, though no consensus was reached. The issue remains under review and could re-emerge at the European Council level if political conditions evolve.
8. Other Matters
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Funding Alert
The Czech delegation raised the alarm over the financial future of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, underlining its importance in the Union’s external information strategy. The issue may be considered in the context of broader media and democracy support mechanisms.
PESCO and Climate Legislation
In addition to SAFE, the Council also adopted as “A” items the sixth wave of PESCO defence projects and new CO2 standards for passenger cars and vans, granting greater flexibility to manufacturers.
This comprehensive agenda underscores the European Council’s ambition to address immediate geopolitical threats while advancing structural reform and resilience across security, economic, and democratic domains. The June 2025 summit is set to reaffirm the EU’s global posture while preparing the Union for the political transitions of 2026.
II. The Polish Presidency and Its Strategic Alignment with the June 2025 European Council
As holder of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2025, Poland has placed its stamp on the institutional agenda through a programme structured around two overarching themes: “Security Europe” and “Competitiveness Europe.” The upcoming European Council of 26–27 June 2025 reflects, to a significant extent, the influence and priorities of the Polish Presidency—particularly in matters of defence, democratic resilience, and regulatory reform. This section analyses the core components of the Polish programme and their operationalisation within the Council agenda.
1. “Security Europe”: A Presidential Priority
In its flagship strategic concept, Security Europe, the Polish Presidency defined security in a multidimensional manner—spanning external defence, internal resilience, energy autonomy, and digital integrity. The Presidency argues that “Europe cannot be strong and competitive without being secure,” highlighting that defence capability and regulatory stability are mutually reinforcing objectives.
Key components of the Security Europe agenda include:
Strengthening the EU’s defence industrial and technological base (EDTIB).
Operationalising large-scale joint procurement (now implemented via SAFE).
Supporting Ukraine in a long-term, strategic framework—both militarily and institutionally.
Enhancing the EU’s resilience to hybrid threats, disinformation, and foreign interference.
Reinforcing rule of law and democratic safeguards internally as a bulwark against autocratic destabilisation.
This vision is being concretely implemented through initiatives such as:
The formal adoption of SAFE (€150 billion), the first pan-European defence investment programme, reflecting Poland’s call for real funding behind political rhetoric.
The prominence of Ukraine on the European Council’s agenda, with Poland supporting its EU trajectory as a geopolitical imperative.
The endorsement of conclusions on EU democratic resilience, which align with Warsaw’s emphasis on shielding public space from foreign malign influence.
2. Core Pillars of the Polish Presidency Programme
According to the official programme document, Poland’s Council Presidency rests on four thematic pillars, each of which finds a direct echo in the annotated agenda for the June summit:
Security and defence
Poland calls for accelerating the implementation of the Strategic Compass, emphasizing the need for deeper defence industrial cooperation and the elimination of market fragmentation in military procurement. This strategic orientation is reflected in ongoing discussions around the SAFE initiative, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), and efforts to address capability gaps at the June European Council.
Strengthening the EU’s global role
Under the Polish Presidency of the European Union, emphasis was placed on neighbourhood policy—particularly regarding Ukraine and the Western Balkans—alongside the strengthening of transatlantic ties and the advancement of strategic autonomy. The upcoming European Council discussions on external summits and EU–world relations align with Poland’s broader geopolitical engagement strategy, reflecting its commitment to a proactive and security-focused Union.
Sustainable competitiveness and the Single Market
Under its EU Presidency, Poland highlights the need to improve the business climate, reduce regulatory burdens, and strengthen industrial policy, with particular focus on advancing the green and digital transitions. This approach to sustainable competitiveness and the Single Market is directly reflected in the Council’s recent simplification of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the conclusions of the European Semester.
Democratic values, resilience, and the rule of law
Democratic values, resilience, and the rule of law are central to the Polish Presidency’s vision, which considers democracy and legal certainty as essential pillars of the Union’s overall resilience. This commitment is reflected in the ongoing Article 7 hearing on Hungary, rule of law dialogues with Slovakia, Sweden, and Belgium, as well as the continued push for the establishment of a European Democracy Shield, ensuring coherence and continuity in safeguarding core EU principles.
3. Policy Alignment with the June European Council
In sum, the Polish Presidency has succeeded in placing its “Security Europe” doctrine at the heart of the Union’s strategic agenda. Through an effective combination of agenda-setting, interinstitutional negotiation, and Council coordination, Poland has ensured that the European Council of June 2025 functions as a political capstone to its term—consolidating initiatives in defence, democracy, and competitiveness while articulating a clear path forward for the second half of the legislative cycle.
III. Ave Europa’s Position on the June 2025 European Council Agenda
Strategic Alignment and Political Support
As a federalist movement, Ave Europa strongly supports the agenda and priorities of the upcoming European Council of 26–27 June 2025. The annotated agenda reflects not only the urgency of the geopolitical context but also a deeper effort to advance a more resilient, sovereign, and cohesive European Union. In this section, we set out our positions on the key policy domains of the summit and explain our broad support for the current trajectory.
1. Support to Ukraine: Integration by Necessity and Design
We unequivocally endorse the Council’s commitment to Ukraine across all dimensions—military, financial, diplomatic, and institutional. Ukraine’s defence is Europe’s defence; the war represents a systemic test of the EU’s capacity to act as a credible geopolitical power and to uphold its values through concrete action. We advocate for the EU to deploy all its instruments not merely to ensure Ukraine’s survival, but to actively prepare for its full integration. This means launching structured accession talks with clear political timelines, progressively integrating Ukraine into the internal market through regulatory alignment, and ensuring full continuity and extension of key transport and trade agreements, such as those governing road freight.
Our vision is clear: Ukraine’s accession must become a fait accompli. The time for debating whether it will happen has passed—what matters now is how and how soon.
2. European Defence and SAFE: A Turning Point
Ave Europa strongly supports the SAFE programme and its strategic logic: joint investment, industrial coordination, and operational capacity-building. Strategic autonomy cannot remain rhetorical; without common procurement and shared production, Europe will remain militarily dependent and politically exposed. We advocate for the long-term operationalisation of SAFE through robust and inclusive governance mechanisms, the integration of Ukraine and EU candidate countries into core defence supply chains, and the establishment of a “Defence Semester” to run in parallel with the European Semester. Our vision is clear: Europe must become capable of defending itself—and doing so together.
This initial step—creating a European Defence Market through aggregation and interoperability by design—is a necessary foundation for what must follow: the establishment of a sovereign European command.
3. External Relations: Europe’s Place in a Fragmented World
We support the Council’s focus on the EU’s global role and the preparation of major summits with strategic partners. As the global order undergoes tectonic shifts, the EU must redefine its position as an autonomous, values-driven actor capable of shaping multilateral outcomes. We advocate for a proactive foreign policy in the Global South and Indo-Pacific, the deepening of strategic partnerships with democratic allies, and the expansion of enlargement efforts in the Western Balkans alongside Ukraine. Our vision is that the EU must act globally in line with its internal transformation—linking its foreign, security, and economic strategies to assert its role as a coherent and influential global power.
The Union is entering a new world dominated by hegemonic powers; for them, Europe’s fragmentation is the means of our subjugation—our unity is our strongest lever of resistance.
4. Democracy and Rule of Law: Resilience Through Values
Ave Europa welcomes the Council’s focus on the rule of law and democratic resilience, both within Member States and at the EU level. The erosion of democracy from within is one of the most serious threats facing the Union today. Europe’s strength in the world depends on the strength of its institutions at home. We call for a stronger link between EU funding and respect for the rule of law, the regular and meaningful use of the Rule of Law Dialogue, and the swift adoption of the European Democracy Shield. The EU must be more than a market—it must be a union of values, where democracy is protected as the foundation of everything else.
Any attempt to build Europe on post-democratic foundations—whether technocratic, illiberal, authoritarian, or even more so neofascist—must be firmly rejected, for the history of Europe is inseparable from the broader history of human emancipation.
5. Competitiveness and the Single Market: Strategic Industrial Policy
We support the Council’s renewed commitment to competitiveness and simplification, particularly the reform of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). In a context marked by rising protectionism, accelerating climate urgency, and intensifying technological rivalry, the EU must find a careful balance between ambition and economic realism. While we remain broadly supportive of open markets and free trade, we call for a smarter economic approach—rooted in strategic sovereignty and economic intelligence. This means reinforcing Europe’s position in global value chains through well-calibrated protection mechanisms that defend our interests without turning inward.
These instruments must both shield the internal market and offer third countries clear incentives to align with sustainability goals, making European protections mutually beneficial rather than zero-sum. European competitiveness must ultimately be about scale, strategy, and sovereignty—not deregulation for its own sake.
6. Migration: A Cohesive and Humane Policy
On the issue of migration, we express the hope that Denmark’s upcoming Presidency of the Council will help steer European policy in a more pragmatic and effective direction, inspired by the Danish model, which has already shown tangible results. The joint letter of May 22nd, 2025—initiated by Denmark and Italy and signed by a broad coalition of European leaders—rightly reaffirms the centrality of human rights, the rule of law, and the dignity of the individual. At the same time, it recognises the urgent need to adapt our legal and institutional frameworks to the realities of today’s migratory challenges.
We share the conviction that maintaining open societies and upholding our values must go hand in hand with ensuring the safety, cohesion, and democratic integrity of our Member States. Europe must be able to protect itself against the abuse of its own norms, and ensure that migration remains fair, orderly, and rooted in mutual responsibility. The ability to act—especially when it comes to expelling foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes or responding to hybrid threats—is a matter of public trust and democratic legitimacy.
It is about recalibrating the balance between rights and responsibilities, national sovereignty and European unity, in a way that restores confidence and delivers concrete results. In this respect, Denmark’s approach—firm yet anchored in the rule of law—offers a useful reference for a broader European rethinking of migration policy.
Conclusion: A Strategic European Council Worthy of Our Times
Ave Europa endorses the agenda and direction of the June 2025 European Council. It reflects a pragmatic, integrated response to a moment of unprecedented geopolitical risk and political opportunity. We support this Council not as an end in itself, but as the opening act of a new phase in Europe’s political, strategic, and institutional development.
Ave Europa calls for the question of institutional reform to be brought onto the Council’s agenda, as the EU prepares for its next phase of integration.
Following the 2024 elections, there is a clear need to align Europe’s ambitions with its institutional capacity. From foreign policy and defence to enlargement and competitiveness, the current structures are showing their limits. We support a push toward more qualified majority voting where appropriate, stronger democratic accountability at EU level, and a greater role for civil society and citizens in shaping strategic decisions.
If the EU wants to stay relevant and effective, it must adapt its institutions to match the scale of today’s challenges.
