Angela Merkel meets with Emmanuel Macron
Before the European Council meets again in June, Germany and France would like to see "important key decisions" made on the European asylum system, common foreign policy and Economic and Monetary Union, announced Chancellor Merkel and President Macron in Berlin.
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Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron gave a press conference at the Humboldt Forum in the Berlin Palace
Photo: Bundesregierung/Steins
"We must give the people of Europe an answer to the major questions of our time," said the Chancellor at a joint press conference with Emmanuel Macron on the building site of the Humboldt Forum in the Berlin Palace. Should Germany and France have divergent opinions, said Angela Merkel, "open debate" will be needed, and the "ability to compromise".
Key decisions by June
"By the end of June, we would like to see as much progress as possible on the common European asylum system," said Angela Merkel. The aim is to uphold freedom of movement within Europe. And common foreign policy is needed. The EU must also take Economic and Currency Union forward, explained the Chancellor. The focus here is on the Banking Union, but also on the future stability and competitiveness of Europe. Angela Merkel warned that Europe can only defend its interests if it acts together.
The two countries intend to continue talks on 19 June within the scope of the Franco-German Council of Ministers. Alongside foreign, defence and asylum policy, the focus of the Council will be on science, research and innovation.
Visit to the Humboldt Forum
Angela Merkel received the French President on the building site of the Humboldt Forum in the Berlin Palace. The Chancellor sees this as a European project. "It is a project that aims to demonstrate that we are part of a large global world and that we want to form and shape globalisation. That is something that brings Germany and France together."