It was not another Franco-German demonstration of friendship and cooperation, as the two countries traditionally do on the occasion of the election of their new leaders.
The first trip of Emmanuel Macron, who just two days ago was sworn in again as President of France, consciously took place on Europe Day. The established ceremonial values in the chancellery were at first reminiscent of old times. But nothing on May 9 this year is the same as before.
“We are living in an era,” said Chancellor Olaf Solz. “The war in Ukraine is testing Europe ‘s borders.” A war that forces European countries to work together to support a country that is under Russian attack “morally, economically and militarily”. “A new demarcation of the border by force cannot be accepted. We will do everything we can to ensure that this war does not spread to other countries, we will do everything we can to strengthen our defense capabilities,” he said.
“Ukraine belongs to the European family,” Olaf Solz said. This is evidenced by Ukraine’s effort for a European course. At the same time, he sent a message to the countries of the Western Balkans, supporting the resumption of accession negotiations, hoping that the obstacles of the past – which France had set – would be overcome. However, President Macron also emphasized the European future of the Western Balkans during the joint press conference.
“No” to a Moscow-dictated peace
Regarding the Ukrainian front, Emmanuel Macron again called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. “This is our goal,” he said, stressing that Ukraine must be led to negotiations, the terms of which will be decided by itself. “The war that broke out in Ukraine has profound consequences for all of us, the citizens of Europe, and that is why the need for joint action is imperative,” he said.
And Chancellor Soltz spoke of the need to take important immediate steps to de-escalate, after many weeks of war. He emphasized that the decision was not a signal of a formal antitrust inquiry into Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
European countries will continue to support Ukraine by tightening sanctions on Moscow, Emmanuel Macron said. Both leaders stressed the need for energy independence from Moscow, promoting joint initiatives. In such a context, Franco-German friendship takes on even greater importance.
Reforms in the EU, disagreement over the revision of the Treaties
Chancellor Soltz hailed the deepening of Franco-German co-operation in promoting reforms in the EU, an area in which France is playing a leading role. However, he appeared restrained on the issue of the revision of the European Treaties.
As he characteristically said, cooperation in many fields can be improved, without the need for a change in the fundamental Treaties. But where there is convergence and room for improvement, Germany will assist, the German chancellor said.
Speaking in Strasbourg this morning at the Conference on the Future of Europe, Emmanuel Macron presented the idea of a comprehensive EU reform with a revision of the European Treaties, thus supporting the European Parliament’s proposal for a European Constituent Assembly.
Source: Deutsche Welle
Source: Capital
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