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Heads of government chatting: »Our two countries need each other«
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IMAGO/Jürgen Heinrich
In the face of reports of bilateral differences, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne have stressed the importance of Franco-German relations.
"More than ever, we want the Franco-German tandem to become the motor for Europe," said Borne on Friday evening after meeting Scholz in the Chancellery in Berlin.
Both then signed a declaration of energy solidarity.
"Our two countries need each other to get through the energy crisis next winter," she stressed.
"We want to diversify our energy sources, increase the production of decarbonized energy and invest in future energies, especially hydrogen," said Borne.
Observers see the declaration primarily as a symbolic act, because Germany has been supplying electricity to France for a long time, and France has been supplying gas to Germany since October.
An already planned increase in capacity has now been brought forward in order to prevent power outages in winter.
In addition, Germany and France are preparing another agreement on the power supply in the event of a crisis, which is to be presented at the next Franco-German Council of Ministers.
This week, three German ministers came to Paris to meet their counterparts.
What is special: All three, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), were also received by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron's personal relationship with the Chancellor is not considered particularly pronounced.
Conversely, Scholz finds a negotiating partner in Prime Minister Borne, with her sober style, with whom he may be better able than with Macron.
»In solidarity on the side of Ukraine«
Scholz and Borne were united in their continued support for Kiev.
France and Germany stand "in solidarity on the side of Ukraine," said Scholz.
"Russia's bomb terror against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure must stop," he demanded.
Germany is "working tirelessly to continue supporting Ukraine," said the Chancellor.
The current focus is on restoring the energy infrastructure.
"We will support Ukraine until the end of this conflict," Borne added.
»We tell the Ukrainians that we will also stand by them afterwards.«
Air combat system FCAS as a point of contention
The French Prime Minister also contradicted reports about ongoing differences in the joint air combat system FCAS.
The agreements for entering the next phase are in place.
Scholz also expressed confidence.
Previously there had been reports that the French aviation group Dassault still disagreed with the cooperation with the Airbus group.
Germany, France and Spain want to jointly develop the multi-billion dollar FCAS project.
The necessary money is also available in the French budget, said Borne.
sol/AFP/Reuters
