Berlin Returns to Paris's oversight: Macron adds new initiatives to his agenda
Get ready for a fresh Spin on the German-French duo, as new Chancellor Friedrich Merz touches down in Paris immediately post-inauguration! Both Merz and President Macron share a common goal - to reignite the Berlin-Paris synergy, particularly in the defense sector.
France and Germany are set to up their collaboration, targeting further progress in defense and advanced weaponry. "We'll speed up our German-French programs, devise fresh capabilities, and constitute a German-French Defense and Security Council, transcending battle tanks, fighter jets, and long-range missiles," Macron announced during Merz's inaugural visit in Paris. This new security body will be dedicated to tackling shared strategic obstacles operationally.
"Moreover, we're launching a German-French program for innovations in the defense sector," Macron added. Merz concurred on the need for collaborative measures to bolster Europe’s security and defense capabilities even more.
Money talks! Macron emphasized that defense spending has got to grow. Alongside the EU Commission's proposed plan to mobilize private and public capital for European defense, the leaders want to uplift the industrial and technological defense base.
Germany and France are aiming to coalesce their efforts regarding future support for Ukraine. "Ukraine will continue to receive Germany and France's backing in its resistance against Russian aggression," Merz affirmed.
Macron welcomed Merz with a warm handshake, and their meeting in the Élysée Palace yard wasn't just a courtesy call. Both leaders are eager to infuse some fresh energy into the Franco-German relationship, following Germany's change in leadership.
Expect a three-way waltz between France, Germany, and Poland as Merz heads to Warsaw for a meet-up with the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, in the afternoon. Macron, in turn, will inscribe the French-Polish friendship treaty with Tusk in Nancy on Friday.
Sources: ntv.de, jwu/AFP/dpa
- Friedrich Merz
- Emmanuel Macron
- German Defense Policy
- Security Policy
- Ukraine Attack
- France
- Germany
- In line with his new agenda, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reiterated the importance of strengthening Germany's defense and security policy, particularly through collaborative measures with France.
- At his inaugural visit in Paris, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz discussed the need for a German-French policy for innovations in the defense sector.
- The collaboration between France and Germany will extend to supporting Ukraine, with both countries vowing to continue providing assistance in Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression.
- In a bid to galvanize Europe’s security and defense capabilities, the employment of private and public capital for European defense is under consideration, as proposed by the EU Commission and supported by Macron and Merz.
