Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has announced plans to convene an informal meeting of the heads of state and government from the 27 EU member states, focusing on defense issues. The gathering is set to take place at the picturesque Limont Castle, an 18th-century site located in Donceel, approximately 20 kilometers from Liège, Belgium.
In his invitation letter, Costa emphasized the shared concerns among the leaders regarding various threats facing Europe, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, hybrid threats, and the ongoing unrest in the Middle East. He aims to anchor the discussions on two key principles: that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own defense and that member states should foster closer cooperation at the European level.
This meeting will mark the first gathering of EU leaders following Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president. Costa underscored that building a more resilient and autonomous Europe would enhance its role as a strong transatlantic partner within NATO. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to attend the lunch, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will join for dinner later in the evening.
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