About: Franco-German relations
France and Germany to work on ‘common industrial projects’
France and Germany will work on "common industrial projects" such as electrical networks, batteries and hydrogen, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said after receiving his German counterpart Robert Habeck in Paris on Monday (7 February).
Presidential candidate Mélenchon ready to push for EU Treaty reform
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, presidential candidate of radical left party La France Insoumise, hopes to push member countries to break away from EU treaties "that block us" if he wins the election in April.
France welcomes Germany’s new ‘pro-European’ coalition agreement
The coalition deal struck between three parties that will form Germany's next government is very much in line with France's own ambitions and priorities, including its vision of a more federal EU. EURACTIV France reports.
Business as usual for next Franco-German couple, despite sticking points
While some argue that the next Franco-German power couple could be business as usual, there are some potential sticking points ahead.
Merkel’s green legacy under scrutiny as she bids farewell to Macron
French President Macron welcomed acting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday (3 November) for her farewell visit. But high-ranking critics accuse the outgoing German government of leaving behind a thorny legacy.
From Chirac to Macron: The four Franco-German duos of the Merkel era
Following Chancellor Angela Merkel's recent visit to France for her last working dinner with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, EURACTIV France takes a look at the past four "leadership couples" at the heart of Franco-German relations.
France and Germany unveil green recovery plans
French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire and German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz unveiled their national recovery and resilience plan at a joint press conference Tuesday (27 April) ahead of the indicative 30 April deadline set by the European Commission.
France and Germany launch space race alliance
Franco-German cooperation on space policy will reach new levels after the economic ministers of the two countries pledged to work together more closely on securing Europe’s independent access to the stars.
Greek official: Rule of law discussion is ‘bigger than the EPP’
Hungary and Poland's opposition to Brussels' oversight of the rule of law and their vetoes over the long-term EU budget and the coronavirus recovery fund are symptomatic of bigger problems in the EU that go beyond the divisions within the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), a Greek government official told EURACTIV.
Belarus, Turkey on agenda as Macron and Merkel meet
French President Emmanuel Macron will host German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week at his Mediterranean holiday retreat to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, the post-election protests in Belarus and growing tensions with Turkey, the presidency said Friday (14 August).
EU recovery deal: the summit that will cement Merkel’s legacy
At the EU summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a U-turn as German advocated for the assumption of joint debts and dissociated itself from the donor countries for the first time and not just for economic reasons. This time, Merkel is fighting for her legacy as a shaper of the EU. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Paris, Berlin divided over nuclear’s recognition as green energy
Disagreement on the inclusion of nuclear power in the EU’s upcoming green finance taxonomy has revived long-standing divisions between France and Germany over the energy transition. EURACTIV France reports.
France and Germany ink compromise on arms export rules
After struggling to find a common line on arms exports, Paris and Berlin reached a compromise on Wednesday (16 October) during a bilateral ministerial meeting in the French city of Toulouse.
Macron hails common European defence at Paris parade
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (14 July) sought to showcase European military cooperation in France's annual Bastille Day parade that included representatives of nine other European armies in a show of unity at a time of growing tensions between Europe and the United States.
What is making the power struggle for EU top jobs so complicated
Five top EU posts need to be distributed soon. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel is fighting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the European Parliament is wrestling with the European Council. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel provides a Q & A on the issue.
Mistranslation adds fuel to Franco-German relations’ fire
A mistake in the French translation put a strain on Franco-German relations, causing for intense reactions. The two heads of state are opposed, in particular, to who will be the future European Commission President. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron admits to Franco-German splits on key issues
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (25 April) admitted differences with German counterpart Angela Merkel on Brexit, trade and energy policy, saying "fruitful confrontations" and compromises were part of ties between their countries.
UN adopts watered-down resolution against rape as weapon of war
As current member and current President of the UN Security Council, Germany presented its resolution on Tuesday (23 April) in which it urged UN member states to strengthen their response in combating sexual violence. Although some debate Germany’s sincerity, the EU seems to be taking this fight very seriously. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Behind the EU summit curtains: How Macron missed his De Gaulle moment
The ‘De Gaulle moment’ that many had speculated about before Wednesday night’s Brexit summit (10-11 April) did not come, but President Emmanuel Macron still lived up to the spirit of the post-war French leader by throwing his weight around the...
German coal phase-out criticised but welcomed on whole
Green activists have criticised the German coal commission's goal of phasing out coal by 2038, saying it is too late. But environmentalists and industry representatives at least agree it could lead the way for other countries. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Treaty of Aachen: ‘France and Germany have to show responsibility’
More than half a century after the Élysée Treaty was signed, France and Germany are renewing their alliance. Both countries want to cooperate closely economically, culturally and in terms of foreign policy. But can a treaty bridge existing differences of opinion? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Five hidden virtues of the Treaty of Aachen
The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle contains discrete but crucial innovations in the areas of defence and diplomacy. EURACTIV France reports.
France and Germany endorse a disenchanted vision of their relationship in new treaty
The treaty that France and Germany will sign on Tuesday (22 January) stems from Macron’s pro-European vigour. The text is a pragmatic one, promoting the economy and defence rather than politics but some major differences remain. EURACTIV France reports.