Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron in Marseille
Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron intend to consult and coordinate closely, in order to continue to drive Europe forward. To this end, Angela Merkel met Emmanuel Macron in Marseille for political talks.
2 min reading time
Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron will continue to consult closely on European issues
Photo: Bundesregierung/Bergmann
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Chancellor Angela Merkel to Marseille, a major port in Southern France, as Europe faces many urgent policy issues, and one important deadline follows another. Angela Merkel was upbeat before the talks. "I am very optimistic that we will continue to move forward together – for a Europe that can stand on its own feet and resolve its problems independently."
Working together to cope with migration
Before they met, both leaders underscored their readiness to work for a comprehensive European solution in the field of migration. "Germany and France have the same way of addressing the problems in this context, and Europe must also prove itself able to deal with this issue," said Angela Merkel. Emmanuel Macron also underlined the fact that together they aim to make the migration issue "an opportunity rather than a concern".
Continuing work on joint agenda
They also continued their discussion of the reform agenda for the European Union, which they presented at their last meeting at Schloss Meseberg.
The Chancellor invited the French President, and French and German cabinet ministers to a meeting at Schloss Meseberg on 19 June 2018. Together they worked on preparations for the European Council meeting on 27 and 28 June, and on solutions to the issues that will shape the future of Europe. President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker was also invited to attend. With him and French President Emmanuel Macron the Chancellor met with members of the European Round Table of Industrialists, which brings together chief executive and chairs of major European companies.
Finally, they discussed foreign-policy challenges facing the EU, including the conflict in Syria, the situation in Ukraine and the position in the Western Balkans.
Coordination ahead of the EU summit meeting
These talks were one of a series of meetings for the Chancellor in the run-up to the informal meeting of EU heads of state and government being hosted by Austria in Salzburg on 19 and 20 September. Austria currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.