Germany and France praise European solidarity against COVID

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Paris on Monday for a working visit tothe invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

This is Steinmeier’s first trip abroad since September 2020 and his visit to the French capital is seen as an expression of the close ties between the two countries.

The two presidents will exchange their points of view on current issues of national politics, European and international.

The focus will be on the future of European integration and the lessons to be learned from the pandemic ofcoronavirus. »As Europeans, we must create the future of Europe if we do not want to become thepolitical pawns of world politics, « said Steinmeier.

For the first time in months, German President Steinmeier is traveling abroad and making visit to his French counterpart Macron. He insists that Europe is not to be blamed -even outside of Coronavirus.

In the Covid-19 crisis, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned of a unjustified blame on the address of Europe. “And whoever believes that we continue to do Europe a scapegoat will hurt everyone and, in the end, I am convinced that it will will also harm, ”Steinmeier said Monday in Paris during a visit to his counterpart, French Emmanuel Macron. “Everyone is called upon to do their part,” added Steinmeier.

The Federal President recalled the historic responsibility of Germany and France not toleave Europe to its adversaries. Macron, is under pressure in France, because the right-wing populistMarine Le Pen, as her toughest and most successful rival, has long representedanti-European positions. In a year, there will be elections in France.

Macron praises solidarity

Macron praised European cohesion in the Coronavirus crisis. Just a few days ago Steinmeier signed the law on the EU funding system until 2027, which contains also the reconstruction fund in the face of the coronavirus pandemic of 750 billion euros for EU countries. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and Macron jointly threw the bases of this European effort last year. But you don’t just need an account full spouse, you need a unifying European idea, demanded Steinmeier.

“The pandemic, the fight against the pandemic, dominates the political agenda in our two countries”, a said Steinmeier. But we must also look to the future: “I think that this Europe does not need nothing more urgent than a starting signal ”. He stressed: “Only we Europeans can shape the future of Europe if we do not want to become the pawn of global politics at the end. »

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for a new « European idea » during the visit to Paris. Both presidents praised the EU’s coronavirus recovery fund.

Financial solidarity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic is « just and essential, » said on Monday German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

Their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris took place two days after Steinmeier signed a fund of European recovery of 750 billion euros (906 billion dollars).

Macron praised Germany’s move towards the « historic » stimulus plan of several billion.

The two also praised European unity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

« Europe needs nothing more urgent than a sign of a new start, » said Steinmeier.

« The future of Europe »

Macron and Steinmeier also expressed their hopes for a European conference led by citizens expected in May.

« We not only need a well-stocked joint account, but we need a

European idea, a unifying European idea, « said Steinmeier, adding that such initiative « would not happen without European citizens ».

Nicknamed the « Conference on the Future of Europe », the European Commission aims to discuss possible reforms with citizens.

What is the EU stimulus fund?

Last year, the EU agreed that the bloc would borrow hundreds of billions to help it recover from the economic damage caused by the pandemic.

EU member states must present to the bloc their own proposals on how

they plan to use the funds. On Monday, Macron and Steinmeier said the ministers of Finances of France and Germany would soon announce their stimulus proposals European.

The block can then approve the funds based on an assessment by the Commission European.

EU governments can request up to 13% upfront of funds for their plans

stimulus.

It was his first trip abroad in many months, Steinmeier said. The fact

that they take him to Paris is due to the fact that there is no more important partner for Germany than France. He was accompanied during the trip by his wife Elke Büdenbender.

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Gabriel MIHAI

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