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Angela Merkel on her farewell visit to Paris: It was about Afghanistan

2021-09-16T20:30:14.596Z


As Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel has always sworn good relations with France, now she was on a farewell visit to President Emmanuel Macron. One of the most important topics: Afghanistan.


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Emmanuel Macron welcomes Angela Merkel

Photo:

Michel Euler / dpa

Chancellor Angela Merkel and France's head of state Emmanuel Macron are still committed to a close Franco-German approach to foreign policy issues.

At a meeting on Thursday evening in Paris, the two discussed the situation in Afghanistan and European relations with neighboring countries in the east.

Macron emphasized that a coherent European line was also necessary in the Sahel in Africa, Libya and Iran.

One focus of conversation between the two was the situation in Afghanistan. Merkel had previously emphasized that it was also about what the NATO withdrawal means for future operations in the fight against terrorism. After all, the mission did not end successfully. Macron also said they wanted to talk about what conclusions a European would have to draw from the situation. Both politicians stressed that they wanted to continue to take care of EU citizens and vulnerable people who would have to leave Afghanistan. The neighboring countries of Afghanistan that have taken in refugees should also be supported.

In the Ukraine-Russia conflict one wants to try to bring about a meeting in Normandy format.

However, the situation is currently very difficult and progress is very small, said Merkel.

One will also have to talk about the EU's relationship with China and the USA.

Merkel: Germany remains a reliable partner

In addition to non-European issues, the two also discussed the future of the EU, as Merkel said.

In the autumn and during the French EU presidency starting next January, important decisions would have to be made.

The Chancellor assured Macron that Germany would continue to be a reliable partner during the transition period after the federal election.

Macron had received the two most promising candidates for Chancellor, Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Armin Laschet (CDU), in the Élysée Palace last week.

The federal election is being followed with great interest in France, even if all of the top candidates are largely unknown to the public.

sol / dpa / afp / Reuters

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-09-16

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