Aachen, Germany: France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday pressed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to move decisively and quickly on reforming the European Union, saying the bloc’s biggest economy must look past its “fetish” for surpluses and bring about change at a critical juncture.
A year after he took office, Macron voiced his impatience at a Germany that has so far proved resistant to his flagship reform proposals for the eurozone including a common finance minister and budget to drive growth.
“Don’t wait, act now,” he said in an impassioned plea to Merkel, who was in attendance at the award ceremony in Aachen where the French president received the prestigious Charlemagne prize for his efforts in boosting EU integration and cohesion.
At a time when the United States is going its own way in ditching the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate accord, as well as threatening allies with punitive trade tariffs, Macron said Europe needs more than ever to stand united and show greater strength.
Macron urged Europeans to stand up against diktats from abroad. “Don’t be weak,” he said. Merkel too underlined that Europe can no longer count on the United States. — AFP
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