Berlin: French President Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming visit to Germany in May is poised to extend beyond initial plans, with a longer stay alongside Chancellor Olaf Scholz, signaling a shared commitment to bolstering EU relations, government sources revealed.
Originally scheduled for May 26-28, Macron’s state visit may be followed by another trip in June, underscoring the enduring strength of Franco-German relations despite reported differences between the leaders.
While both leaders stand united in support of Ukraine against the Russian invasion, nuances emerge in their approaches toward aiding the country, with Germany exercising caution regarding weapon deliveries or troop deployment. However, at a recent EU summit, Macron and Scholz expressed a joint commitment to implementing an EU capital markets union and streamlining bureaucracy within the single market.
A new Franco-German ministerial meeting is slated for Meseberg, north of Berlin, toward the end of May, prompting Macron’s prolonged stay in Germany.
Also Read | Burkina Faso’s Media Suspension: BBC and Voice of America Punished for Coverage of Army Mass Killings
Amid domestic pressure due to his party’s minority status in the National Assembly and the looming EU elections in early June, where Eurosceptic parties pose a challenge, Macron and Scholz are keen to reaffirm their pro-European stance. Macron is set to deliver a speech on Europe in Dresden, where he will also be received by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Additionally, Macron will be honored with the Peace Prize in Muenster on May 28, marking a symbolic recognition of his efforts. Originally planned for July 2023, the state visit had to be postponed due to civil unrest in French cities.
Furthermore, discussions within the Weimar Triangle, comprising France, Germany, and Poland, are being explored for June, coinciding with a UEFA Euro 2024 football match in Dortmund between France and Poland on June 25, according to the sources.
