Meeting between Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron: German diplomacy underlines a friendly and constructive dialogue

This meeting, which lasted three hours and ended with a tête-à-tête between Mr. Macron and Mr. Scholz, allowed them to discuss "the perspectives towards which Europe wants and must move" and should lead in the coming weeks to "a very good and intensive cooperation", said a German diplomatic source.

 

For its part, the French Presidency also welcomed a "very constructive" exchange, during which the two leaders "discussed Franco-German relations in a spirit of very close work in the medium and long term.

During this meeting, the two leaders agreed on the fact that the European Union is facing "one of the most important crises in its history", which led them to discuss, among other things, the issues of "security and defense", the issue of "energy with a view to high energy prices and supply" or innovation, added the German diplomatic source.

 

These three topics are sources of tension between the two capitals, Paris and Berlin do not have the same ideas on how to fight against soaring energy prices for example.

On these three topics have been established working groups and reflection that will lead the two governments to work closely in the coming days for the next steps," said the Elysee.

 

The two leaders also agreed to exchange "before and after" a visit to China by the German chancellor and a trip to the United States for the French president.

 

However, the meeting did not result in any joint statement by the leaders, who did not spend much time in front of the camera in the courtyard of the Elysée Palace.

Over the past few weeks, disagreements have multiplied between Paris and Berlin on the strategy to adopt in the face of soaring energy prices, nuclear power and European armaments. This is cause for concern in Europe, where the Franco-German motor remains a major driving force.

 

The differences, particularly on several joint industrial projects, from combat aircraft to the tank of the future, have worsened since the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.