Berlin (dpa) – Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron of France are determined to further reinforce German-French relations. Following his inaugural visit to Paris in May, Merz received the French President for a dinner at Villa Borsig on the lakeside of Tegeler See in Berlin.
“We are based on the foundations of a close German-French friendship that has grown over the course of decades. We both feel highly committed to advancing this further over the next few years,” said the Federal Chancellor, who had welcomed his guest in French, saying “Bienvenue à Berlin” (welcome to Berlin). Merz stated that the German-French relationship was also of great importance to him personally. He pointed out that following his own inaugural visit, more than half of his ministers had meanwhile visited France, too.
Macron highlighted the personal friendship between himself and Merz, as well as between the two countries. The French President continued by explaining that the shared desire to promote mutual and European agendas was a key aspect of German-French relations. He closed his statement by saying “Vielen Dank, Friedrich” in German. Both Merz and Macron are determined to further deepen the two countries’ cooperation across all levels. To this end, a joint cabinet meeting is to take place in Toulon in the South of France at the end of August.