France and Germany set up joint defence and security council
France and Germany have agreed to set up a joint defence and security council that will meet regularly to discuss common strategic challenges, French president Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday.
The initiative was unveiled during the official visit to Paris by Friedrich Merz. The newly appointed German Chancellor , who took office on Tuesday, made the French capital his first foreign destination. He said that joint action would be taken to strengthen Europe's defence and security capabilities and that he wanted to forge even closer ties with France.
Merz also called on all European Union member states to increase their defence spending, describing it as the only viable way to address common shortcomings and support Ukraine. He also mentioned plans to visit Ukraine in the coming weeks.
Ceasefire
Both countries reaffirmed their ongoing coordination in support of Ukraine and efforts to establish a 30-day ceasefire. Macron questioned whether Russia would be willing to accept such a ceasefire, while Merz expressed hope for a permanent ceasefire.
The German Chancellor also stated that the United States must be involved in any future ceasefire agreement and in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, noting that Europe cannot replace the US in this regard. Macron also expressed support for US involvement, although the US administration has indicated that Europe should take the lead in guaranteeing Ukraine's long-term security.
Merz is expected to continue to pursue Germany's Zeitenwende, the historic shift in defence policy introduced by his predecessor Olaf Scholz following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the time, Scholz pledged a €100 billion investment in Germany's military and a structural increase in defence spending.
© Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP
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