Macron, Scholz meet in attempt to alleviate German-French tensions
Date
10/28/2022 6:15:21 AM
(MENAFN) French President Emmanuel macron hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for lunch, seeking to narrow divisions on energy and defense and reenergize the European Union's essential double act.
Scholz got out of his black Mercedes in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace on Wednesday to shake hands with Macron, who appeared to evade Macron's attempts to put his arm around him.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which occurred less than three months after Scholz entered office in December, spurred crisis choices made under the pressure of the conflict and its consequences.
Berlin's decision to spend up to 200 billion euros ($200 billion) subsidizing increasing gas prices, as well as its unwillingness to discuss an EU-wide energy price ceiling, irritated Paris and other European cities, which are concerned about the impact on their energy expenses.
In addition, given Germany's intentions for a common missile shield with other NATO states employing American weaponry, France views promises to cooperate on defense purchases as dwindling.
Longer-term proposals to jointly create new fighter aircraft and tanks encounter resistance from major arms manufacturers, which has become worse since the war began.
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