German-speaking heads of state meet in Tyrol for informal summit

Heads of state from six German-speaking countries—Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland—convened for the 22nd informal summit in Tyrol, Austria. Hosted by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, the gathering took place in Innsbruck and Alpbach to discuss pressing political, economic, and social challenges.

During the summit, President Van der Bellen issued an appeal for European cohesion, describing Europe as “the best idea in the world” and a counter-model to nationalism. He emphasized the need for European sovereignty in defense and resilience against external societal division, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine. The meeting concluded with the “Alpbach Declaration on the Present and Future of Europe.”

Participants included King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, and Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein. The group also visited the Stubai Glacier to observe the direct impacts of climate change on the Alpine region.