On a visit to Paris on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the reconciliation treaty between Germany and France, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke of the Franco-German couple as the "
locomotive
" of Europe on 22 January.
"
The future, like the past, depends on the cooperation of our two countries, as the locomotive of a united Europe
", declared the Chancellor who described the "
Franco-German engine
" as a "
machine of compromise
" .
to "
transform controversies and divergent interests into convergent action
".
Succeeding the German Chancellor at the podium, Emmanuel Macron pleaded for France and Germany to become "
pioneers for the refoundation
" of Europe, during a speech at the Sorbonne.
The French President notably cited the need to "
build
a new energy model
", to encourage "
the innovation and technologies of tomorrow
" or to favor a "
European Union capable of assuming itself as a geopolitical power in its own right, in in matters of defence, in space matters, in diplomatic matters
".
“Unwavering” support for Ukraine
France and Germany will support Ukraine “
as long as necessary
” and “
unwaveringly
” against Russian aggression, the two political leaders also promised on Sunday.
"
We will continue to provide Ukraine, as long as necessary, with all the support it needs
," said Olaf Scholz.
“
Together, as Europeans, in order to defend our European peace project
”.
Read alsoThe Franco-German couple: an essential tandem for the European Union
Emmanuel Macron also reaffirmed the "
unwavering support
" of the two countries to the Ukrainian people "
in all areas
".
"
After February 24, our union was neither divided nor shirk its responsibilities
," added Emmanuel Macron.
