About: 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.
Offering Macron a stage is not enough
French President Emmanuel Macron gave a speech in the German Bundestag – but this will not bring him any closer to his idea of Europe. A commentary piece by Albrecht Meier, correspondent in the Berlin office of EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel.
France becoming more attractive to German investors
While German companies already have a strong presence in France, more and more of them want to invest in the country, attracted by the French government’s digital policy, among other reasons. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron calls for moral commitment to Europe in Aachen
French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled his long-term goals for Europe, including the need for unity, courage and action, at the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony held in Aachen on 10 May. EURACTIV.fr reports.
France and Germany going through a rough patch
Neither France nor Germany is ready to acknowledge a cooling down in their relationship. But the German government's complete lack of flexibility is ruffling the feathers of the French side. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Franco-German tandem under pressure to lead climate action
French and German NGOs have asked Brune Poirson and Jochen Flasbarth – state secretaries for the environment in France and Germany, respectively - to make the tandem “the engine of an ambitious European climate policy.”
French Economy Minister Le Maire visits ‘Jamaica’
French Minister of Economic Affairs Bruno Le Maire's meeting with 'Jamaica' coalition negotiators in Berlin on Wednesday (8 November) was not a coincidence. From the French point of view, President Emmanuel Macron’s eurozone plans might be threatened by the formation of the new German government. EURACTIV Germany reports.