French President Emmanuel Macron began a three-day state visit to Germany on Sunday, the first by a French president in 24 years.
The state visit comes at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with Steinmeier’s office saying the trip will “highlight the unique relationship between the two countries.”
Macron begins his trip to Germany with his arrival in the capital Berlin.
Macron says Germany and France are ‘moving forward’
Shortly after landing in Berlin, Macron declared that the partnership between Germany and France was “indispensable” for Europe.
“Franco-German relations are essential and important for Europe,” he said.
“We must face an imperialist desire in Europe (…) this supposes strengthening the Franco-German relationship,” he declared, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Macron rejected claims that relations between the two countries were starting to strain.
“That’s not true. We’re moving forward,” he said.
Steinmeier said that despite divergent views, Berlin and Paris “always reach an agreement in the end.”
“If Germany and France agree, then there is still a lot to do in Europe,” he said.
Macron warned of the growth of “authoritarianism”, referring to polls suggesting far-right parties could gain increased support in upcoming European parliamentary elections.
He said that if the far right had been in power in Europe in recent years, “the story would not have been the same”, pointing to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
“We need an alliance of democrats in Europe,” Steinmeier said.
Macron will travel through Germany
The two leaders are scheduled to visit several regions of Germany, but first attended the Celebration of Democracy on Sunday, marking 75 years of the Basic Law – the democratic constitution adopted in West Germany after World War II world – which was held in the government district of Berlin.
Macron should then be received at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, with military honors.
According to Steinmeier’s office, the second and third days of Macron’s visit will include stops in Dresden and Münster.
The emphasis will be on common challenges “to which France and Germany can find common European responses”, says a press release from Steinmeier’s office, which adds that at each stage, leaders will celebrate European integration.
Steinmeier’s role is largely ceremonial and, although German presidents have little executive power, they aspire to be moral authorities above daily politics.
France and Germany disagree on Ukraine and strategic autonomy
France and Germany have disagreed on a number of issues, including the war in Ukraine.
Earlier this year, Macron said France did not rule out sending troops to support Ukraine, prompting a critical response from Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Paris has also stressed its desire to establish strategic autonomy for the EU that would make the bloc less dependent on the United States. She expressed concern about Germany’s decision to buy mainly US-produced equipment for its EU air defense program, the European Sky Shield initiative.
Macron’s trip comes two weeks before European elections, with polls showing Macron’s coalition lagging behind the far-right National Rally party.
The National Rally recently broke with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party following comments made by AfD candidate Maximilian Krah about the Nazi SS paramilitary forces.
ko/jd (AFP, dpa)
News Source : amp.dw.com
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