At their informal meeting in Sibiu, the heads of state and government will discuss for the first time the strategic agenda for the period 2019 to 2024. It is to be adopted at the European Council meeting on 20 and 21 June. 

In June 2014, the European Council first adopted a strategic agenda and thus guidelines for the work of the EU institutions for the next five years. Under the provisions of the EU Treaty, the European Council provides the necessary impetus for European integration and lays down the general political goals and priorities to this end.

A call for united action

Over and above this, the heads of state and government are to adopt a declaration, which will clearly state that, in spite of their political differences, the EU member states believe that it is better to act together, explained the Chancellor on her arrival in Sibiu. 

This applies inside the EU, continued Angela Merkel, "in order to keep the peace and generate prosperity". In external dealings, Europe must also stand up for its values. The world is not sleeping, she pointed out. "We must be innovative, we must be strong, and we must be united," she stressed. The Chancellor said she would be advocating this at the meeting.

The agenda of the meeting

The informal meeting was called by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk and the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. Romania currently holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The EU heads of state and government will first meet with the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani. 

Following the summit meeting, the Chancellor is to meet with representatives of the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania – the German minority in the country.