“Two souls, one breast” – Scholz and Macron call for Franco-German friendship Selenskyj promotes NATO membership again +++ Poland wants to supply tanks to Ukraine

After considerable tension in recent months, on the 60th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, Germany and France reiterated the importance of their friendship for the future of Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron said at a ceremony at the Sorbonne University in Paris on Sunday that Germany and France were “two souls in one breast” for him. “For a Frenchman to talk about Germany means to talk about a part of himself,” he said in front of more than 30 ministers from both governments and about 200 MPs.

«German-French engine is a compromise machine»

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) thanked the “French brothers and sisters” in French for their friendship. He considered the differences of opinion between the two countries to be normal in such close cooperation. “The Franco-German engine is a compromise machine – well-oiled, but loud at times and characterized by hard work,” said Scholz. “He doesn’t get his drive out of sweet hugs and empty symbolism. But because of our determination to turn controversies and conflicts of interest into concerted action time after time.”

The ceremony was linked to a joint cabinet meeting, which, however, yielded few concrete results. They promised Ukraine “unwavering support” without commenting on specific weapon systems such as main battle tanks.

Arrival with two government planes

60 years ago, the Élysée Treaty was signed in Paris to reconcile the two former archenemies and opponents of the war. To this day it is considered the basis for Franco-German cooperation. For the jubilee ceremony and the subsequent consultations between the two governments, Scholz was accompanied to Paris by almost the entire cabinet. Only Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) was absent due to illness. More than 100 members of the Bundestag traveled in a second plane, led by Speaker of Parliament Bärbel Bas (SPD).

In the same room where the ceremony took place, Macron outlined his vision of a sovereign Europe more than five years ago, which caused quite a stir. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) did not respond to this request until the end of her term of office. Scholz responded last summer with a keynote speech on European policy in Prague, in which he did not go into detail about the importance of Franco-German friendship for Europe. Neither was well received in France.

In Paris, Scholz expressly thanked him for Macron’s Sorbonne speech. “Today we are working side by side to strengthen Europe’s sovereignty,” he said. Forces should be joined exactly where nation-states alone would have lost their assertiveness: “In securing our values ​​in the world, in protecting our democracy from authoritarian forces. But also in the battle for modern technologies, in securing raw materials, in energy supply or in space travel,” says Scholz.

During the joint press conference with Macron in the evening, Scholz praised the energy cooperation. A year ago, it was unthinkable that a collapse in Russia’s gas supply could be managed without an economic crisis. “But it worked, with European solidarity.” He pointed out that France helps Germany with gas and vice versa Germany helps France with electricity.

Hope for a solution to the conflict over the US investment program

Macron warmly greeted the Chancellor with a hug in front of the Sorbonne. Germany and France are determined to make their friendship “one of the life trees of European sovereignty,” he said in his speech. “You can be sure that we will both push this once impossible pair forward, which is simply the result of willpower, courage and strength.”

In the conflict over the US investment program for climate protection, Scholz assumes that a solution will be found in the coming months. “In any case, I am currently confident that we will be able to reach the necessary agreements in the course of the first part of this year.” The US inflation control law provides for billions of dollars in investments in climate protection. Subsidies and tax credits are linked to companies that use or produce US products in the US. In Europe, there are fears for disadvantages for domestic companies. Both Scholz and Macron stressed the need to reform EU rules on state aid to companies.

Series of setbacks in recent months

Since Chancellor Scholz took office more than a year ago, there have been repeated disruptions in Franco-German relations. Last fall, France was dissatisfied with German opposition to a European gas price cap and the federal government’s 200 billion euro program to deal with high energy costs. Macron at the time accused Germany of isolating itself in Europe. The consultations between the two governments, which were originally scheduled for October, had to be postponed because agreement could not yet be reached on all points.

Recently, the vote on arms supplies to Ukraine did not go well. In early January, Macron went ahead with the decision on reconnaissance and armored personnel carriers, announcing it a day before Scholz and US President Joe Biden.

Agreements about climate, economy, transport

The final statement of the joint cabinet meeting is about broad cooperation from defense to transport to climate protection.

– Climate: Both countries want to continue with the climate-friendly restructuring of their economies and the expansion of renewable energy sources – but “while respecting the principle of technology neutrality”. Unlike Germany, France relies heavily on nuclear energy to move away from fossil fuels. Both parties recognize this different orientation.

– Energy: Germany and France have agreed to extend the planned hydrogen pipeline between Spain and Marseille in the south of France to Germany. The pipeline issue caused controversy last year. Spain and Germany had pushed for the construction of a gas pipeline, which had been in the pipeline for some time, from Spain to France to carry gas further to Germany. France rejected this and instead agreed to build the hydrogen pipeline with Spain.

– Traffic: Cross-border traffic connections should be promoted. The expansion of the high-speed train connection between Paris and Berlin is supported – the railways of both countries initially want to have a daily express train – as well as the already announced night train between the capitals for 2024. (sda/dpa)