French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Germany for a three-day state visit, marking the first French presidential state visit to Germany in 24 years. This visit underscores the commitment of the European Union's two largest economies to reinforce their partnership and address shared challenges.
President Macron's itinerary includes stops in Berlin, Dresden, and Muenster, culminating in a bilateral cabinet meeting. This visit aims to highlight the strong trade relationship and collaborative efforts between France and Germany ahead of the upcoming EU parliamentary elections.
"This state visit comes at a key moment for Europe," Macron stated, emphasizing the importance of Franco-German cooperation in navigating current geopolitical and economic challenges. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the presidential palace, Schloss Bellevue.
Steinmeier, in his ceremonial role, expressed confidence that Germany and France can effectively address Europe's geopolitical challenges through close cooperation.
Despite differing leadership styles and occasional public disagreements, Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have found common ground on several critical issues. Recent compromises on fiscal reform and power market subsidies have enabled the EU to present a more united front on various fronts.
"There are tensions in the German-French relationship, but these stem from tackling challenging topics," noted Yann Wernert from the Jacques Delors Institute in Berlin. He highlighted the convergence on the need to expand the EU eastwards as a significant achievement.
This visit aims to demonstrate the resilience and functionality of the Franco-German relationship. Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at the Eurasia Group think tank, commented, "This is an attempt at the highest political level to show that the relationship is working, despite fundamental gaps on major questions facing the EU."
One key area of focus is European defense, with discussions anticipated around enhancing Europe's self-reliance in defense matters. France, a nuclear-armed nation, has advocated for a stronger European defense strategy, while Germany continues to rely on the U.S. military umbrella for security.
The visit also includes significant cultural and symbolic moments, such as a walk through the Brandenburg Gate with Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, and a speech in Dresden in front of the Frauenkirche. The most crucial part of the trip will be the cabinet meeting on Tuesday in Meseberg, just outside Berlin, where the two governments will seek common ground on defense and economic competitiveness.
The discussions will also aim to set the EU agenda for the next five years, especially in light of the expected strong showing for the far-right in the parliamentary elections on June 6-9.
"This period between the parliamentary elections and the establishment of new leadership is a crucial window for the EU to push forward ambitious plans," Rahman noted.
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