Yahoo – AFP,
Danny KEMP, June 23, 2017
 |
| 'Emmangela': German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron stage a joint press conference after the EU summit, projecting their will to drive Europe's leadership after the shock of Brexit (AFP Photo/EMMANUEL DUNAND) |
Brussels
(AFP) - Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel used the French president's first
Brussels summit Friday to deliver an unmistakeable message: their countries
intend to lead the EU's post-Brexit revival.
The
Franco-German power couple held an unusual joint press conference after meeting
their 26 European Union counterparts, against a backdrop of their respective
flags and the bloc's blue banner with yellow stars.
"When
France and Germany speak with one voice, Europe can move forward,"
newcomer Macron told a room almost filled to bursting point with reporters as
he stood alongside the German chancellor.
"There
can be no pertinent solution if it is not a pertinent solution for France and
Germany," the 39-year-old centre-right leader.
Despite her
more pragmatic tone, the message from 62-year-old Merkel was the same.
"This
press conference shows that we are resolved to jointly find solutions to
problems," she said.
The joint
press conference came exactly a year after Britain's shock referendum vote to
become the first country to leave the European Union, which prompted dire
predictions of the break-up of the bloc.
But Europe
has jumped on the bandwagon of Macron's stunning election victory over French
far-right leader Marine Le Pen to trumpet a newfound optimism after years of
austerity and crisis despite Brexit.
At the
heart of that is the idea that Macron may be able to repair the traditional
"engine" behind European integration -- the post-war alliance of
Paris and Berlin after centuries of conflict.
'More
than a symbol'
The French
and German leaders -- variously dubbed Merkron, Mackerel and Emmangela in the
style of celebrity couple nicknames -- said they intended to use that engine to
get moving.
Macron
insisted that the decision of the two leaders to appear together was more than
just a piece of political posturing.
"It is
more than a symbol, it is a true work ethic," he said.
Merkel and
Macron insisted on their unity on a host of issues including plans to boost
Europe's defence capabilities, with the continent unable to rely on Britain or
the United States under Donald Trump.
They also
proclaimed their togetherness on climate change-- especially after Trump pulled
out of the Paris climate deal -- counter-terrorism and trade issues.
However
they were careful to avoid going into the details of delicate subjects like the
reform of the eurozone, a pet project of Macron who wants it to have its own
parliament and finance minister.
"We
don't announce in advance things that we can't hold to," said the
ever-sensible chancellor, when asked if they would finally commit to concrete
proposals after German elections in September.
The pair
also both took a cautious stance on British Prime Minister Theresa May's offer
on the rights of EU citizens living in Britain after Brexit.
But in one
area, Macron may have found that his summit honeymoon was over almost before it
started.
His EU
colleagues poured cold water on his proposal to hand Brussels more powers to
control Chinese investments in strategic European industries.
"Fairer
trade is preferable than the law of the jungle," Macron told the press
conference as he defended his plans.
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